For the second time in less than a week, detectives were investigating a shooting in West Hollywood — this one wounding a man who was walking with his family, and authorities were working Wednesday to determine if the apparently random cases of gun violence were related.
The latest shooting occurred shortly after noon Tuesday in the 7900 block of Norton Avenue, near Fairfax Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The victim had vital stable signs when he was taken to a hospital, authorities said.
According to various reports from the scene, the man was walking with his family when he was shot. Video recorded at the location showed him conscious and alert while being loaded into an ambulance.
Investigators indicated that an unspecified number of rounds were fired toward the man. No other injuries were reported. It was unclear if the victim was the specific target of the attack, and there was no immediate information about a possible suspect or an arrest.
The shooting follows another one at approximately 8:45 p.m. last Thursday, when a woman standing on a balcony in the 1000 block of North Vista Street, about a block south of Santa Monica Boulevard, was shot and wounded. She was taken to a hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.
A lieutenant at the sheriff’s West Hollywood station said Friday that detectives there were investigating if the shooter had some kind of connection to the woman.
A watch sergeant at the station said Wednesday that detectives were looking into the possibility that the shootings, which took place about a half-mile from one another, were related, but at this point both appear to be random.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, the former mayor of West Hollywood whose Third District includes the city, issued a statement to City News Service that decried the shootings.
“Gun violence anywhere is devastating and frightening, but especially in a close-knit community like West Hollywood, which has taken safety seriously and significantly invested in protecting residents,” Horvath said. “My thoughts are with the community members who have been victimized by this violence; I wish both a full and speedy recovery, and for justice to prevail swiftly.
“To that end, both (West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station) Captain (Fanny) Lapkin and Sheriff (Robert) Luna have heard directly from me — solving these crimes is a top priority, and every resource is available to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department to aid in identifying those responsible, holding them accountable and restoring safety to our neighborhoods.”
The city of West Hollywood also issued a statement expressing concern over the shootings.
“Recent incidents of violence in West Hollywood over the past week have caused concern, fear and distress among residents, businesses and visitors,” according to the city. “West Hollywood is a compassionate and engaged community, and news of these events, including two shootings and two fights in the city’s Rainbow District, is deeply unsettling.
“The West Hollywood City Council, city manager and community safety team are working diligently to support the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in fully investigating each incident.”
Anyone with information regarding either shooting was urged to contact the West Hollywood station at 310-855-8850 or 800-222-8478. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.