1 dead, 5 hurt in California awards party violence

One person was killed and five were injured in two separate incidents at parties ahead of the BET Awards that were not officially connected to the ceremony, Los Angeles police said Sunday.

Gunfire killed one person and wounded four others early Sunday at the Monalizza Restaurant & Banquet Hall, Officer Drake Madison said. It was not immediately clear whether the shooter attended the party or fired from outside, he said.

In a separate incident, a man was stabbed in the stomach Saturday night at the Lure nightclub, Madison said. Police are searching for suspects in both incidents at venues not in the same immediate area.

Madison said both parties were related to the BET Awards but not part of the official events. BET organizers say the events were not authorized or affiliated with the awards ceremony, and security is a top priority for all planned activities.

The awards were held in Los Angeles on Sunday with Beyonce and Pharrell Williams among the big winners.