Man, 37, fatally shot near his vehicle in Encino; suspect at large
Authorities say a 37-year-old man was gunned down near his car in Encino, and a search is on for those responsible.
The shooting unfolded around 11:40 p.m. Saturday in the 4500 block of Grimes Place.
It was there that officers arrived and found the man suffering of multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics also responded, and pronounced the man dead at the scene.
CBSLA Reporter Jake Reiner spoke to some neighbors who witnessed the aftermath of the shooting, including one who jumped into action.
Given that it's 4th of July weekend, it's not uncommon to hear loud explosions. But one woman told Reiner that she knew immediately the loud noise was gunfire.
Neighbors said the victim and the suspect were leaving a house party that was taking place at a house no one lives out of.
Security footage from one of the neighbors' house showed a line of cars leaving after shots were fired.
Elijah Safahi, who lives nearby, was at the house party but didn't find out about the shooting until his mom called him and relayed the news that someone was shot.
Safahi, who is studying to become an X-ray technician and had recently taken a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) class, told Reiner he immediately jumped into action after calling 911.
"I saw his eyes open up a little bit - his pupils were dilated so I thought for a second I was doing a pretty good job," Safahi said. "I was doing chest compressions nonstop and giving him CPR - just trying to do what I can."
Safahi recognized the victim's friends from the party, but didn't know them personally. Nevertheless, he felt he needed to do something to help the man.
The victim's identity has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Anyone with more information was asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department, Valley Bureau Homicide at (818) 374-1925.
