Local News in Brief : Sylmar Shootings Kill Youth, 16, Wound Man

Los Angeles police gang experts are investigating Wednesday’s shooting death of a 16-year-old youth and the wounding of a 20-year-old man in Sylmar, authorities said.

The wounded man told police that he and the youth had fought with patrons at a bar about 12:30 a.m. and became separated as they ran from the area, Sgt. Tom Wilkinson said.

When the man returned a short time later to the 12700 block of San Fernando Road to look for his friend, a car drove up and several shots were fired, Wilkinson said.

After the wounded man staggered to the middle of the street and collapsed, nearby residents carried him to the curb and called police, Wilkinson said. The man was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in serious condition, he said.

Four hours later, police were called to the same area of San Fernando Road, where they found the body of the teen-ager near the front gate of a factory, Wilkinson said. The youth, who lived in Sylmar, had been shot with a small-caliber handgun, he said.

Police believe the shootings were related and occurred about the same time, Wilkinson said.

The identity of the youth, who attended Evergreen High School, a continuation school in Sylmar, was being withheld until relatives could be notified. Police declined to release information about the wounded man or give other details of the shootings.

“We’re saying that it well may be gang related,” Lt. Bob Stemples said.