OzTaz JaQuan Massey

OzTaz JaQuan Massey was a 17-year-old young man rooted in the Vermont Vista neighborhood of South Los Angeles. Described by his family as brilliant, introverted, and quick to smile, OzTaz cared about school and had hopes for continuing his education. He loved music and dreamed of performing, a passion that those close to him say helped define his gentle, creative spirit.

Family meant a great deal to OzTaz. Loved ones remember a kind and good-natured son and nephew who enjoyed everyday moments with those closest to him. In public comments after his death, his mother, Sonya LaRose, and other relatives emphasized his good character, his academic effort, and the small gestures that made him a beloved presence in their lives.

The community’s response after OzTaz’s passing reflected how his life touched others: neighbors and friends gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor him, and community members and organizers amplified the family’s call for support. A GoFundMe campaign was set up to help with funeral expenses and to support the family during their grief. The City of Los Angeles later approved a reward offering assistance to anyone with information about the shooting.

Although public records and news coverage focus on the tragic circumstances of his death on August 19, 2020, the memories shared by family and community are of a young person with promise, warmth, and quiet determination. This remembrance centers OzTaz’s life — his love of music, his commitment to school, and the close family ties that mattered most to him — rather than the manner of his passing. His family and community continue to honor his memory and to hold onto the vision of the future he had hoped to build.