An investigation was underway Sunday after a man was shot to death outside the entrance to the Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles, sending people inside running in fear and police on a hunt for the gunman.
The shooting was reported at 3:56 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of South Hill Street, according to Los Angeles police Officer Rosario Cervantes.
Paramedics took the wounded man to a hospital, where he later died, Cervantes said. His name was withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The gunfire sent panicked patrons running out of the market. Independent journalist Sean Beckner-Carmitchel shot video of people fleeing the market after they heard the shots and of the victim lying in the sidewalk outside. He said in a Facebook post that a photographer who tried to help the victim had his equipment stolen.
A motive for the shooting was not yet known.
The LAPD set up a perimeter and searched for the shooter. The perimeter was later lifted but the gunman remained on the loose.
Anyone with information on the gunman was asked call the LAPD’s Central Division at 213-486-6606. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.