2 Injured by Shots From 2nd Car in Huntington Beach

A carload of youths playing cat and mouse with another car opened fire near the beach during the evening rush hour Thursday, hitting the passenger in the face and the driver in the shoulder.

Police said one of the attackers yelled, “You rent-a-pigs!” just before the shooting, apparently referring to the security guard uniform one of the victims wore.

The trouble began about 6:15 p.m., when the victims, southbound on Pacific Coast Highway in a Mustang convertible, apparently were not going fast enough for the youths behind them in a Nissan Maxima, police said.

The Maxima passed the Mustang and then slowed in front of it, Officer Michael Corcoran said. The Mustang then went around and was again in front.

Past Brookhurst Street, at the Newport Beach city limits, the Mustang driver made a U-turn and drove north. The Maxima followed.

At Brookhurst Street, someone in the Maxima opened fire, hitting both men in the other car. The attackers then turned right at Brookhurst, and escaped.

The victims drove a block to the main lifeguard station at Huntington State Beach for help. They parked at the entrance and walked to the building, where they were treated by two lifeguards, State Park Police Lt. Ken Kramer said.

Both were taken to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, where they were in stable condition. One victims suffered a bullet wound in his cheek; the other in his shoulder.

Police did not release the victims’ names but said both are in their 20s.

The Maxima was a two-toned beige color. In addition to the male driver, there were four male passengers in the back and one female passenger in front, all of Asian descent in their teens or 20s.

Police ask witnesses or anyone with information to call (714) 536-5607.