DELAROSA—a rising force in the new wave of Latin pop—was killed in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 22, in what authorities described as an “ambush-style” shooting in Los Angeles. She was 22.
According to People, the artist, born Maria De La Rosa, was sitting inside a parked vehicle in the Northridge neighborhood when two unidentified men approached and opened fire.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the shooting happened around 1:25 a.m. near Bryant Street, just east of Tampa Avenue.
Witnesses reported seeing the gunmen run toward the car before unleashing multiple rounds. DELAROSA was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving. Two men who were inside the vehicle with her were also shot and remained in critical condition as of the weekend.
Investigators have not confirmed a motive, and no arrests have been made. While detectives are exploring all possibilities, including whether the shooting may be tied to organized groups, the LAPD has not released additional details.
DELAROSA had only begun carving out her lane in the industry, building buzz throughout 2025 with a series of teasers and the August release of her single “No Me Llames.” The track—whose title translates to “Don’t Call Me”—marked a shift toward a more polished, moody aesthetic that was gaining traction across streaming platforms.
Her final Instagram post, shared on October 30, showed her in the studio hinting at new music. “Ocupada cocinando en el Stu… no me llames,” (I'm busy cooking in the studio, don't call me) she wrote, adding, “Ya es tiempo… GAME TIME BABY.” (Now is the time...)
In the days following the shooting, friends and supporters filled social media with tributes. Per People, one message reshared by a family member came from a man who said he first met DELAROSA nearly a decade ago at a gym during a low point in his life.
He wrote that she encouraged him to pursue modeling, connected him with an agency, and remained someone he looked up to.
“I didn’t realize the shooting I heard about was her until someone told me,” he said, adding that her death left him “truly heartbroken.”
The LAPD is urging anyone with information to contact its Operations Valley Bureau Homicide unit. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers.