2 Killed, 4 Wounded in Shootout in South-Central

Six people were hit by gunfire Wednesday night, and at least two of them were killed, during a shootout near the intersection of Florence and Normandie avenues, a flash point of the 1992 riots, authorities said.

A seventh man was found shot less than two miles away, at 47th Street and Normandie. It was not immediately known if all the shootings were linked.

The violence erupted about 9:15 p.m.

Patrol officers from the 77th Street Station arrived first at the scene after a call that a robbery was in progress at a nearby liquor store. Detectives from South Bureau Homicide arrived a short time later.

The surviving victims, at least two of whom were in critical condition, were transported to Martin Luther King/Drew Medical Center. Two of the victims were believed to be women.

Los Angeles police issued a tactical alert in the wake of the shootings.

Neighbors said they heard at least 15 to 20 shots during the shootout.

The intersection was a frenetic nexus of bloodied victims, ambulances screeching to a stop, detectives in sports coats and ties, uniformed officers and patrol cars lighting up the scene with flashing lights.

News helicopters hovered as reporters and cameramen from throughout the city rushed to the crime scene.