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Man arrested after firing dozens of shots off roof of Marina del Rey apartment building

Man arrested after firing dozens of shots at Marina del Rey apartment building
Man arrested after firing dozens of shots at Marina del Rey apartment building 02:25

A suspect was taken into custody after allegedly firing as many as 50 rounds with two combat-style rifles and a handgun in an incident that at least one resident described as terrifying.

Authorities say the man fired rounds from the roof and a balcony of the Marina 41 apartment complex, located at Via Marina and Catamaran Street around 10:15 p.m. Saturday. 

The shooter was allegedly armed with two AR-15-style rifles and a pistol and repeatedly reloaded while sheriff's SWAT teams tried to deescalate the situation, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He was also wearing a bulletproof vest. 

"When deputies arrived ... they heard active gunfire at the location," said a statement from LASD. "An LASD Aero unit observed a male suspect on the roof of the location firing rounds from a rifle."

LASD called four BearCats to the scene to assist with the ongoing situation.

"It's pretty terrifying . . ." said one resident. "We have never had any type of active shooter situation or anything at this level and it is all residential for the most part, it is very concerning."

Another resident recalled hiding inside of their apartment for hours, trying to follow along with the developing situation on social media. 

"We were barricading for those three hours, not saying a word. We're watching the Citizen App just to see what other people are saying. We didn't want to turn on any volume on our phones because we didn't know where he was, and every moment it was silent we got more and more scared," said Elizabeth Amos. "It was almost like the gunfire helped us know where he was."

Others recounted a similar harrowing experience, without any inclination as to what was going on outside of their homes.

"It was just kind of rapid fire and then he would stop for 20, 30 minutes and then he would just continue," said Connor Hedges. "We heard just a bunch of police commotion, helicopters circling, tons of police."

The suspect was later taken into custody at around 1 a.m. Neighbors say they knew of the suspect and never expected something like this to happen.

"If he can do it, who else could do it?" Amos said. "He seemed to us like a perfectly normal guy, so it makes you wonder. I don't feel safe at all."

There are no reports of anyone hurt and a motive for the incident remains unclear. 

On Monday, he was identified as 41-year-old Victoryloc Nguyen. He is currently being held on $2 million bail after being booked on a number of charges related to the incident. 

Nguyen is scheduled in court on April 16. 

Anyone with information about the suspect or the shootings was urged to contact investigators at (310) 482-6000

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