Gunman Sought In Central LA Shooting Which Left Man Dead, 17-Year-Old Boy Wounded
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Police Thursday released surveillance video in the hopes of catching a suspect who opened fire on a man and a 17-year-old boy while they were sitting in a parked car earlier this month in Central Los Angeles, leaving the man dead and the boy seriously wounded.
The shooting occurred just after midnight on Aug. 7 near the intersection of Adams Boulevard and Central Avenue, according to Los Angeles police.
The victims were sitting in a car in a parking lot when the gunman approached them and fired several shots, police said.
Both were rushed to a hospital, where the man died. He was not identified. The nature of the boy's injuries and his condition as of Thursday was not released. Police did not confirm if the adult victim was the boy's father.
Officials initially said that the boy was 7 years old, but later corrected themselves and confirmed he is 17.
Police said that the apartment building where the shooting occurred is a known hangout for a particular gang in the area.
Based on what the 17-year-old told detectives, they believe the shooter is from a rival gang and may have mistaken the victims for gang members and opened fire.
Detectives said the victims have no gang affiliations.
Grainy surveillance video released Thursday shows flashes from the gunfire and the suspect fleeing in a white van. He was described as 5-foot-8, 180 pounds and wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt at the time of the killing.
Anyone with information on his identity should call LAPD detectives at 213-996-4178.