Gunfire in Gang Clash Wounds 2 Bystanders in Theater Lobby

An argument between rival gang members led to gunfire that wounded two bystanders in the lobby of a downtown theater showing a horror movie, Los Angeles police said Sunday.

The shooting started shortly before “A Nightmare on Elm Street 4--the Dream Master,” was due to end at 6:45 p.m. Saturday. Two clusters of gang members had been taunting each other near the front doors of the Los Angeles Theater in the heart of the Broadway shopping district. Most of the audience was still in the darkened auditorium, watching the film.

A woman was hit in the buttocks and a man was struck in the throat, said Sgt. Bill De La Torre. Both were in stable condition at County-USC Medical Center on Sunday, he said. Neither apparently was involved in the argument. Their names were not released.

“About six people came running out,” said Miguel Hueyopa, who was approaching the theater for the next showing. “One was wearing red Levis. The others chasing him were wearing blue.”

Four teen-age gang members who fled onto an RTD bus were arrested, De La Torre said. One had gunpowder residue on his fingers, the sergeant said, and another dropped a .380 automatic pistol.

The suspects’ names were not released, but De La Torre said they belong to a Crips set.

Meanwhile, “the auditorium was in pandemonium,” said theater manager Melvin Collins, who had been in his basement office. “People were running, screaming.”

Collins said he gave about 35 refunds to movie patrons, but the next showings, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., went on as scheduled.

Sunday afternoon, five security guards were stationed in highly visible spots. Collins said managers of Metropolitan Theaters Corp., which owns the theater, will meet this week to discuss security measures.

Collins said the shooting was the first gang-related violence at the theater.