3 Injured by Gunfire at Busy South-Central Mall

Three people, including an 11-year-old boy, were shot Sunday at a South-Central Los Angeles swap meet crowded with holiday shoppers.

The gunfire erupted at the Slauson Super Mall about 3 p.m., striking the boy and two men near the rear entrance. Security guards arrested two suspects after a chase.

Police said the most seriously injured victim was a 34-year-old man, who suffered four gunshot wounds. He was reportedly in critical but stable condition.

The boy suffered a leg wound and was scheduled to be released from a hospital in time for Christmas, according to his uncle. The third victim, a 25-year-old man, was in stable condition.

Police said they have yet to determine a motive. A 9-millimeter semiautomatic handgun was recovered at the scene, they said.

The shooting caused panic in the mall, which was jammed with thousands of last-minute shoppers.

“Everybody was hollering and screaming, pushing their baby strollers and trampling over each other,” said shopper Kelli Stewart.

Police ordered a brief lock-down before closing the building for the rest of the day. Merchants were cooperative but expressed frustration over lost business, police said.

The mall, known in South-Central as “the swap meet” is housed inside an old warehouse at 1600 W. Slauson Ave.

In the heart of some of Los Angeles’ toughest gang territory, the mall is patrolled by armed guards in bulletproof vests. Guards have said that it is not unusual for them to have to draw their weapons.

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Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.