Official Says 3 Fatally Shot In Downey Were Targeted
DOWNEY (CBSLA.com) — Authorities are searching for a gunman who killed three members of the same family and injured two others in two separate shootings Wednesday.
The Downey Fire Department responded to the shootings at a business and home in the 8700 and 8500 blocks of Cleta Street around 11:30 a.m., Downey Police Lt. Dean Milligan told KNX 1070's Ed Mertz.
Podcast
A 13-year-old boy and his mother were among those shot. She died from her injuries.
Officials say the owner of the home is connected to the family-owned business, United States Protection Services Inc., which is just two blocks away.
Downey City Councilman Mario Guerra wouldn't go into details about the shooting. He would only say that he believed the victims were targeted.
"It was not a random act, it was not a random act," Guerra said. "It appears to be targeted. Our citizens are safe out there. Our police are on the lookout for this individual."
Several people who live close to the fire extinguisher business said they've recently seen unusual activity there late at night, such as exotic cars with wealthy-looking foreigners in the back lot, according to CBS2/KCAL9 reporter Carter Evans.
Other residents said they were concerned that members of a popular local band Los Nuevos Rebeles may be among the shooting victims, because they worked at the business and lived at the home where the second shooting occurred.
Authorities are now looking for the gunman, who first opened fire at the business before heading to the home. He was last seen driving a black, 2010 Camaro, which belonged to one of the victims.
The vehicle - which is missing its front license plate - has a rear California license plate number 6LEA010.
Police say he should be considered armed and dangerous.
