Local News in Brief : Argument Over Snake Erupts Into Shootout in N. Hollywood
An argument over how to handle a boa constrictor degenerated into a shootout Tuesday evening at a North Hollywood apartment project, leaving one man with gunshot wounds, Los Angeles police said.
Sgt. Jerry Gilbert said the owner of the snake and another man began arguing about 6:30 p.m. near a swimming pool at an apartment building in the 4000 block of Arch Drive.
“From what we can tell, the owner of the snake said, ‘Hey, you’re squeezing it too hard,’ ” Gilbert said. “At that point, the guy who was holding the snake pulled out a gun.”
The owner of the snake then retreated to his apartment where he grabbed his own pistol, Gilbert said, and the two began shooting at one another in a hallway.
The owner of the snake was hit in the hand with a bullet, and another bullet grazed his head, Gilbert said. The man was taken to North Hollywood Medical Center, where he was in good condition, Gilbert said.
Neither man had been identified by late Tuesday night. Both are expected to be arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, Gilbert said.
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