A clandestine stunt show at a busy intersection in South Los Angeles culminated in a deadly shooting that claimed the lives of two people, and the suspects remain at large.
A clandestine stunt show at a busy intersection in South Los Angeles culminated in a deadly shooting that claimed the lives of two people, and the suspects remain at large.
Homicide investigators with the sheriff’s office at Century Station are asking for the public’s help in identifying the person(s) responsible for the shooting.
Authorities are hoping witnesses will send them cellphone videos of the incident, as they only have surveillance footage from at least one business that also provided us with the video.
Amid a cloud of smoke, surveillance video provided by a business shows several drivers flaunting speed with dangerous maneuvers for several minutes.
Surrounded by a group of spectators when suddenly they all start running in different directions.
“They had made wheels and then the shots were heard, quite a few,” said Bernarda Martínez, a neighbor of the area.
Dozens of people were arrested, and several vehicles were impounded as part of an effort to crack down on dangerous street racing. Luis Treto reports.
Those shots came at an undercover stunt show, sheriff’s investigators say, around 3 am after a group of motorists seized the intersection of Firestone Boulevard and Hooper Avenue in the Florence-Graham area.
“I wish parents had control over their children, not letting them stay at midnight, 2:30 am was when this happened.”
Detectives say they are investigating reports of several underground shows that reportedly took place last night at the same intersection. However, one ended with two men dead after a shootout.
“One was transported to a hospital, where she passed away. The other victim died at an intersection of Hooper and Firestone,” said Omar Camacho, Lt. Los Angeles Sheriff’s Homicide Unit.
Families of the victims arrived at the scene after learning of the tragedy.
“She leaned over the corpse and said “my baby” just with so much sadness,” said Bernardo Martínez, a neighbor of the area.
According to authorities, they do not have enough details of the incident to explain how the clandestine stunt show escalated to a deadly shootout. They also do not have a description of the vehicle of him or those responsible. The residents of the area emphasize that the seizure of this intersection is a recurring problem.
“Well, that happens almost every weekend, no more like it is at night, that doesn’t happen at that time,” said Carlos Mengibar, owner of a business in the area.
Authorities warn people who attend these clandestine shows that they could be fined, and even charged with a misdemeanor just for participating as attendees. Those who injure a person can be accused of a felony and spend several years in prison.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has not identified the deceased. Authorities remind the public that they can make an anonymous report if they have more information about the incident.
