Two California teens who were shot while watching a movie have been identified, according to the Corona Police Department.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the incident happened at around 11:45 p.m. Monday at the Regal Edwards Corona Crossings theater in Corona. According to police, the victims were watching “The Forever Purge,” the latest installment in a series of movies that centers around the government allowing people to commit crimes.
Corona police spokesperson, Cpl. Tobias Kouroubacalis, said it’s unclear whether the shootings had anything to do with the theme of the movie.
Police said that Rylee Goodrich, 18, died at the scene, while 19-year-old TikTok star, Anthony Barajas, was rushed to the hospital in serious condition. He’s now reportedly on life support.
Investigators said the pair attended the movie together. Employees found the victims while cleaning up the theater after the movie.
Corona police initially labeled the case as a death investigation, but later changed the case to a homicide investigation.
“During the actual movie time, no one apparently heard the gunshot,” Kailyn Dillon, an employee who was not at the theater at the time, told CBSLA. “I know that we do have security bag checks that we do on the daily and, unfortunately, I’m not sure if just was missed or if it was in a holster on their belt.”
Police said that Goodrich, who was a student at Grand Canyon University in Arizona, was home in Corona for summer break. Barajas, known as “itsanthonymichael” on TikTok, has close to a million followers.
Six tickets were purchased for the movie during the showing time in question. So far, none of the other patrons have been identified and a motive remains unknown.
The Corona Police Department asked that anyone who was inside the theater or in the shopping center between 9 p.m. and 11:45 p.m on Monday to call the Anonymous TIP Line at 951-817-5839 or contact Senior Detective Slaven Neagu at 951-739-4916 or Slaven.Neagu@CoronaCA.gov.
Check back for updates.
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[Featured Photo: Rylee Goodrich and Anthony Barajas/Facebook]
