Shooting at California Theater During ‘Forever Purge’ Screening Leaves One Dead, One Injured

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An 18-year-old woman was killed and a 19-year-old man was badly injured during a shooting at a screening of “The Forever Purge” in Corona on Monday night.

Police have yet to identify a suspect in the case or make any arrests. Police were called around 11:45 p.m. on Monday, after the screening at the Regal Edwards Corona Crossings.

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Rylee Goodrich, 18, of Corona, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Corona Police Department. Anthony Barajas, 19, of Corona, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Barajas was on life support on Tuesday, according to a GoFundMe established by his family.

“Anthony was the light of so many peoples lives and there are tough times ahead, but we have amazing family and friends to get through this,” said Julia Barajas, the organizer.

CBS Los Angeles reported that Barajas is a popular TikTok influencer, and that Goodrich was home on break from Grand Canyon University in Arizona.

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“The Forever Purge” is the fifth installment in the “Purge” franchise, which is premised on the idea of an annual ritual when murder and mayhem become temporarily legal.

Police initially said that it was not clear whether a third person shot both victims or if the shooting was an attempted murder-suicide. However, police later confirmed that no gun was found at the scene. Cpl. Tobias Kouroubacalis said the victims were discovered by a theater employee who came in after the screening ended.

“Detectives are conducting follow up on all investigative leads with hopes of identifying the person(s) responsible for this heinous crime,” the department said in a press release.

Six tickets were sold for the screening, Kouroubacalis said, and detectives were trying to track down the other moviegoers. The screening was scheduled to begin at 9:35 p.m., and the film has a 1 hour, 44 minute runtime.

A separate GoFundMe was set up to help pay the Goodrich family’s funeral expenses.

“Words seem inadequate to express the sorrow felt by the loss of Rylee,” the organizers said. “Her kindness, and gentle spirit will be remembered forever.”

In a statement, Regal Cinemas said it was working with local investigators.

“We have received confirmation of an incident at our Corona Crossings theatre last night,” the company said. “We are currently working with the local authorities regarding the investigation. Our primary concern is for the safety and security of our guests and staff.”

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