Adolfo Gramajo, 35, the father accused of shooting his two young sons to death on a Pico-Union sidewalk shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, has been booked on a murder charge and held on $4 million bail, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said.
The boys — Osmani Gramajo Bonilla, 11, and his four-year-old brother, Jimmy Gramajo Bonilla — were shot near the intersection of South Catalina Street and Venice Boulevard, a busy stretch of the neighborhood just west of downtown Los Angeles. Police said Gramajo then shot himself, and all three were rushed to a hospital, where the boys were pronounced dead. Their father survived the wound and was in critical condition as of Oct. 12.
A Custody Visit, Then Gunfire
The boys were spending the day with their father on a custody visit, according to law enforcement sources. Gramajo had assured the children’s mother that his parents would be present. He took the two boys to McDonald’s, and the shooting followed that stop.
Relatives told FOX 11 that he had picked the children up from where they live, in nearby Koreatown, and told their mother he was taking them for a burger not far away. Speaking off camera, family members said the parents had experienced custody problems in the past but believed the matter had been worked out.
Investigators have not established a motive. Police said no other suspects are being sought, and the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation.
Medical Examiner Rules Both Deaths Homicides
Records from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner list the manner of death for both brothers as homicide. Jimmy, the younger boy, died of a “close range gunshot wound of the head,” the records show. Osmani died of a “gunshot wound of the head.”
The children were identified by their grandparents. Gramajo was identified by his parents.
Candles and Balloons on the Sidewalk
By Monday, Oct. 12, loved ones were gathering at the corner where the brothers were killed. Flowers, candles, balloons and handwritten tributes piled up on the sidewalk beside the intersection.
“They were so sweet, really good kids,” said Maria Lopez, an aunt of the two boys.
Carlos Aguilar, a friend of the family, struggled to square the killings with the children he knew. “They never did anything wrong to anyone. They were always happy, never wanted to hurt anyone. They were innocent,” Aguilar said.
The boys’ family is collecting donations to cover the cost of their funerals, La Opinión reported.
Detectives Ask for Public’s Help
Detectives are asking anyone who knows something about the shooting to call LAPD Juvenile Division Detective Wilfredo Ortiz at 213-486-0530. Anonymous tips can go to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org.
Anyone in a mental health crisis can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The lifeline’s previous number, 1-800-273-8255, still connects callers to help.