Homicide investigation underway in San Marino after man found shot in trunk of car

A homicide investigation was launched on Tuesday after a man was found suffering from gunshot wounds in the trunk of a car in the San Gabriel Valley.

In a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, deputies said that they were called to the 1900 block of Los Robles Avenue in San Marino at around 2:30 a.m. to assist the San Marino Police Department with an ongoing incident. 

Deputies said that a San Marino PD officer pulled an older model Ford sedan over at the intersection of Los Robles Avenue and Monterey Road for a vehicle code violation, and as the officer exited their patrol car, the driver of the Ford exited and ran on foot, heading east. 

"Officers then found an unresponsive male adult in the trunk of the sedan suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper torso," the release said. 

The victim, who hasn't yet been publicly identified, was taken to a nearby hospital by South Pasadena Fire Department paramedics in critical condition "with death considered imminent," the LASD release said. As of Wednesday, police said that the victim was still in grave condition.

Officers detained a man who was sitting in the front passenger seat. He has been identified as a person of interest, but his identity has not yet been revealed as the investigation continues.

Despite a search of the area, neither San Marino PD officers nor LASD deputies could locate the driver of the car. He was described as wearing dark clothing and standing about 5 and a half feet tall with a "dark complexion," according to LASD's release. One neighbor told CBS LA that they provided police home surveillance camera footage of the driver running from the area. 

A search of California Department of Motor Vehicles records showed that the registered owner of the vehicle had just transferred or sold it, and that the registration expired in January.

Neighbors say that the incident is highly unusual in what is a very quiet neighborhood. 

"That's incredible. Worst thing to happen in San Marino since I've lived here," said Mike Bradley. 

Anyone who knows more was asked to contact LASD's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.