A man suspected of wounding five people, at least two critically, in an early morning shooting in the Westlake district Wednesday was also struck by gunfire and is hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
The wounded suspect is in custody but two other suspects are at large, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
There was no immediate description of the other two suspects, and the name of the man taken into custody was being withheld pending further investigation.
“It is unknown at this time if they were shooting at each other or the gunfire was directed only towards the victims,” police said.
Patrol units from the LAPD’s Rampart Division responded just after 1 a.m. Wednesday to the 600 block of South Alvarado Street, between Sixth and Seventh streets, regarding reports of multiple gunshots. When they arrived, officers found five victims suffering from gunshot wounds, police said.
All five patients, four men and one woman, were taken to a hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics.
The conditions of three victims was unknown, while two other were in critical condition.
The genders of the victims in critical condition was not disclosed.
The shooting prompted LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell to announce that he and Mayor Karen Bass “are surging resources to this area to enforce a Zero Tolerance policy on crime — if you break the law you will be arrested.”
“Please know that my top priority is keeping you safe, and I will continue to hold anyone who threatens your sense of security accountable,” McDonnell said in a statement.
Anyone with additional information regarding the shooting was urged to call LAPD Rampart Area detectives at 213-484-3660. Calls during non-business hours or weekends should be directed to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.