Family of 19-year-old killed in Carson asks public’s help to solve case

When Jason Pereira got the early-morning phone call that his 19-year-old nephew was shot, he frantically left his Orange County home and drove to the scene.

Pereira arrived quickly to the Carson neighborhood — within the hour of when Exodus Foisia was shot at 1:15 a.m. Saturday, May 4 — and stared down the street, where police barricades blocked the sight of his nephew’s lifeless body. But in the background, Pereira’s fears became reality when he saw his nephew’s car, which he had just helped him buy last year.

Taking in the scene, Pereira felt devastated.

“I wanted to scream, ‘Who shot my nephew,’” he said. “But, instead, I turned to his father. Our family just hugged and cried together.”

Pereira was one of about 150 people who gathered to honor Foisia at a vigil at Chapel of Change in Carson on Friday evening, May 10, a week after the teen died of gunshot wounds. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office say they do not have any updates on the investigation, and the family on Friday called upon anyone with information about his death to come forward.

Foisia was found by responding Sheriff’s deputies, suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the upper torso.

Deputies were called to the 18300 block of Milmore Avenue, a residential street in the northern area of Carson, just after 1:15 a.m. May 4 on reports of a gunshot victim, Deputy Marvin Crowder said last week.

Foisia died in the street from multiple gunshot wounds, according to a coroner’s report.

The night of his death, Pereira said, about 100 family members and friends went to the scene where Foisia was shot. They stayed the whole time, until officials took the body.

The Sheriff’s Department has not released additional information about the case and did not have suspect information.

“To see your son laying in the ground is something I’d never wish on anyone,” said Trent Foisia, the victim’s father.

Foisia, the second oldest of five siblings, was a responsible teen who loved being with family and going to church, friends and family said. The day before his murder, Foisia went to a church event where he played the role of Jesus.

He graduated from Carson High School in 2017 and then worked with his father at a nearby plumbing supply company. Foisia had recently completed an electician certificate program and was excited to purse that field, Pereira said.

Logan, and other family friends, said that Foisia wasn’t the type to get into trouble. He focused on work, creating rap music and loved to dress nicely.

Pereira said his nephew had his own, unique style, that was admittedly an “expensive” taste. But, Foisia worked hard for what he had, including the Chevy Malibu that Pereira had helped him pick out last year, he said.

Family friend Kenneth Logan, a junior at Carson High School, said Foisia has always been like a “big brother” to those around him.

“Whatever you needed,” he said, “he was there.”

Foisia was shot outside of a friend’s party, Pereira said. The teen hadn’t planned on going, but decided to go last minute when he heard his younger sister was going, he added.

Foisia’s cousin was there when he was shot.

“She thinks he was protecting her,” Pereria said.

Foisia’s mother, Vanesha Foisia, said that when she thinks of her son, she imagines him singing and dancing in heaven.

“But I’m missing his beautiful face at home,” she said. “What I’d give to make another lunch for work for him.”

The mother said she’s going to fight to keep other young people safe in her community’s streets.

“If my (son) had to be the one to make a change in this community,” she said, “so be it.”

The family asks anyone with information about the case to contact Los Angeles County homicide detectives. Anyone wishing to provide tips anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers by calling 800.222.8477, texting “TIPLA” plus a tip to 274637, or visiting LACrimeStoppers.org.