Counselor beaten to death at youth hall; 7 arrested

A counselor was beaten to death at a South Los Angeles children and family services facility, and seven youths were arrested in connection with the attack, authorities said.

David Mcknight- Hillman, a 25- year- old youth counselor at Wayfinder Family Services, was trying to break up a f ight among seven young people when they turned on him, said Deputy Joana Warren, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department.

Deputies responded to the 5300 block of Angeles Vista Boulevard in Windsor Hills at 9: 51 p. m. Saturday to a call about a fight at the facility, a nonprofit organization that provides residential therapeutic services to youths placed by the county Department of Children and Family Services.

Once there, authorities found Mcknight- Hillman suffering from what appeared to be blunt- force trauma injuries. He was transported to a hospital, where he died, sheriff ’ s officials said.

Authorities say Mcknight- Hillman, whose responsibilities included dayto- day care of the residents at the youth hall, was assaulted by seven people, including five juveniles.

Two 18- year- olds, identif ied as Nyler Mason and Keith Lewis, were arrested on suspicion of murder in the attack, officials said. Four juveniles were arrested and booked at Juvenile Hall on Eastlake Avenue.

On Tuesday, the f ifth juvenile was arrested in Buena Park, and one count of murder was filed against each of the 18- year- olds.