LOS ANGELES, CA – A shooting incident at L.A. Live, a popular downtown Los Angeles tourist destination, left at least one person dead and another one injured on Tuesday night. Authorities are now on the lookout for the suspect, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The shooting took place at 800 West Olympic Boulevard, near the Peacock Theater and opposite the Crypto.com Arena, around 6:15 PM, according to LAPD officials. Fixins Soul Kitchen, a restaurant within the L.A. Live complex, was the focus of the police and firefighter response, as seen in footage obtained by KTLA.
The incident’s location as a major tourist hotspot that sees potentially thousands of visitors daily adds to concerns, expressed LAPD Commander Lillian Carranza.
The shooting suspect, briefly described as a Black male wearing black Adidas shoes, reportedly entered the restaurant and shot another man who was seated and having a meal. The suspect fled the scene in a white Honda, possibly an SUV.
The victim, thought to be in his 20s, was immediately transported to a nearby hospital. However, he later succumbed to his injuries. A woman who was also dining at the restaurant was grazed by a bullet and was hospitalized, where she is currently in a stable condition.
Commander Carranza revealed that the location and timing of the shooting led to multiple witnesses, estimating around a dozen in number. Authorities believe that both the victim and the gunman are local to the area and knew each other. Though the suspect is still at large, police do not perceive a continued threat to the public. However, Carranza underscored the inherent societal danger posed by individuals who perpetrate such violent acts in public spaces.
The restaurant’s owner reported that none of the staff were hurt in the unfortunate event. The LAPD has advised the public to avoid the area around Olympic Boulevard and 11th Street as the investigation unfolds over the coming hours.