Compton, CA — Authorities have confirmed that the man who died in a tragic shooting inside a beauty supply store on Sunday, October 19, 2025, was 42-year-old Zaque Sykes. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner announced that he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident unfolded at about 3:30 p.m. inside the Pink Beauty Supply store on East Alondra Boulevard in Compton, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies say the conflict began after Sykes followed a woman into the store and acted inappropriately, prompting employees to ask him to leave.
Once asked to leave, witnesses report that Sykes grew more agitated—yelling threats, hurling beauty items, and sparking panic among customers. At some point, he was observed holding an object that bystanders feared might have been a knife. As tension escalated, a customer who was legally carrying a firearm fired a warning shot in a bid to calm the situation. When Sykes allegedly moved toward her in a threatening manner, she fired a second shot, which struck him.
Deputies arrived within minutes to find Sykes unresponsive. Paramedics from the Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed he had died at the scene. The woman who fired the shots immediately cooperated with investigators and was not detained, pending a careful review by the District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators are now combing through surveillance video from inside the store and interviewing witnesses to reconstruct exactly how events unfolded. Authorities have extended condolences to those affected, and say they pledge a full, transparent investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.