Shots Fired Into Crowd On Venice Boardwalk, Man Hurt
VENICE (CBSLA.com) — A man was wounded after shots were fired into a crowd who had gathered for a fireworks display on the Venice Beach Boardwalk Friday night.
The shooting took place at 9:20 p.m. in the 200 block of Ocean Front Walk, according to Los Angeles Police officer Rosario Herrera.
Police said shots were fired into a crowd, hitting one man in the back and leg. He was taken to a hospital in good condition. Witnesses told CBS2 that they heard at least eight to ten gunshots.
Investigators were searching for at least four juvenile males in connection with the shooting.
No suspect descriptions were released. Police are also investigating in the incident was gang-related.
The wounded man was shot in the leg and back. Police said the victim remains in the hospital in stable condition.
CBS2's Greg Mills reporting from the scene Saturday spoke to witnesses and one man who said he was in the line of fire.
"Everyone said it was firecrackers," said witness Al Robinson, "Then a guy said he was hit."
Robinson was about 20 feet away from the shooting. He was worried he was going to get hit next.
"I just ducked. I didn't take a chance," he said.
Brian Hutchings was also there, enjoying a night out and listening to music with friends.
"One person said it was gunshots," Hutchings said, "Another said it was fireworks. I thought it was both."
Several witnesses told Mills the suspects fled in two cars.
Police are asking for security video from a nearby restaurant that people has the best angle to the shooting but the owner said they can't access the footage until Monday morning. The owner told Mills the parking lot is very dark and not sure what the video will show, if anything.
