Suspects in fatal gang-related shooting crash into pole near LAX

Three men suspected of being involved in a fatal gang-related shooting crashed their minivan into a light pole near Los Angeles International Airport early Friday during a police pursuit, authorities said.

The incident began shortly before 2 a.m., when police officers heard gunshots in the area around 53rd and Figueroa streets. When they arrived on the scene, officers found a gunshot victim in his 20s lying on the sidewalk, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

As officers called an ambulance, they saw three suspects getting into a minivan attempting to flee, setting off a pursuit when they failed to pull over. The chase continued onto the southbound 110 Freeway and ended on Lincoln Boulevard, where the van crashed into a light pole near LAX, KTLA reported.

One suspect remained in the van while the other two attempted to flee, but all three were apprehended and taken to a hospital. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known, KTLA reported.

A gun was recovered at the scene, according to the LAPD.

The shooting victim, who was not immediately identified, was taken to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries.

The California Highway Patrol temporarily closed the Florence Avenue onramp to the 110 Freeway as part of the investigation.

In the last 12 months, 11 people have been killed within a one-mile radius of the shooting, according to analysis of crime data by the Los Angeles Times’s Homicide Report.

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