Man dies of self-inflicted gunshot wound at Universal Studios

A man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday afternoon near the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride at Universal Studios, authorities said.

The shooting occurred at 2:15 p.m. and is considered a possible suicide, said Nicole Nishida, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. She said investigators would speak to any witnesses and check surveillance footage.

Firefighters arrived at the park at 2:29 p.m. after receiving a report of a medical emergency, said Inspector Randall Wright of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Enrique Mandugan said homicide investigators have been summoned to the scene.

Friday night, authorities said the man’s ex-girlfriend, who works at the park, notified security when she saw him there.

“We know he and his girlfriend have been estranged since February,” sheriff’s homicide Lt. Eddie Hernandez said. “She had a restraining order against him, and today she saw him outside the restaurant and she alerted security.”
Security and a sheriff’s deputy tracked the man to an area near the ride, Hernandez said.

“The man then pulled out a gun from the small of his back or his back pocket” and shot himself, Hernandez said.

The deputy tried to persuade the man to not shoot himself, Hernandez said.

Park security searches the belongings of guests, but they don’t usually use metal detector wands, which is how the man was able to bring the gun into the park, Hernandez said.

A Universal Studios spokeswoman said the park is still open, and corporate security is working with law enforcement to investigate.

Times staff writer Ryan Parker contributed to this report.

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