The man suspected of entering a restaurant at Peacock Place at LA Live and fatally shooting a diner who police said he knew is on the loose Wednesday.
The shooting was reported at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at Fixins Soul Kitchen restaurant at the entertainment venue at 800 W. Olympic Blvd., adjacent to Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Times reported.
According to police, the suspect entered the restaurant and shot the man, who fell to the ground. A second victim, a woman who was also dining at the restaurant, sustained a graze wound, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
LAPD Cmdr. Lillian Carranza said the suspect knew the dead victim.
“This was not a random act,” Carranza told reporters, adding that police do not believe the victims knew each other and were eating separately.
At least a dozen witnesses, including the wounded woman, were being interviewed by detectives, NBC4 reported. Police also plan to examine video surveillance from neighboring businesses in an effort to identify the shooter
A male suspect left the scene in a white Honda, possibly an SUV, authorities said.
The restaurant’s owners issued a statement after the shooting. “Fixins Soul Kitchen is shocked and saddened by the incident that occurred this evening at our LA location,” the statement read. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones.”
Fixins Soul Kitchen is owned by former NBA point guard and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.
Carranza said she considers the suspect to be “armed and dangerous and obviously, a threat to society.”
Project Islamic Hope is planning a news conference at Fixins Soul Kitchen at 11 a.m. Wednesday to show support for the restaurant, its owner and customers.
“It’s critical that we continue to patronize and support Fixins Soul Kitchen owned by NBA retired legend and former Mayor of Sacramento Kevin Johnson,” said Najee Ali, director of Project Islamic Hope, in a statement. “Fixins has emerged as one of the premier dining restaurants in Los Angeles with city residents and tourists from all over the world enjoying the food served at Fixins.”
Ali added that the organization and the community take pride that a Black-owned restaurant has been a beacon of success with local hires of minority workers.
“We will continue to dine at Fixins and not allow business to drop off,” he said.
“I’ve invited several of my fellow activists to join us for lunch today. Fixins and LA Live has a strong track record of being safe. The shooting death of a customer Tuesday night was an unfortunate tragedy. But we refuse to live in fear.”