Man fires handgun from balcony in Hollywood as Vicente Fernández fans gather for memorial
Authorities have arrested the alleged gunman who opened fire from his apartment balcony in Hollywood on Sunday night as fans of the late Mexican musical icon Vicente Fernández gathered for a vigil across the street.
Joseph Dietrich, 35, was arrested on suspicion of shooting into an inhabited building, Los Angeles Police Department officer Lizeth Lomeli said Monday. Police confiscated a gun and ammunition from the apartment.
Authorities received reports of shots fired from a large apartment building at 6201 Hollywood Blvd. at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, according to LAPD officer Andrew Dineen.
Witnesses said they heard four or five shots fired, Dineen said. Witnesses also saw a person’s arm holding a handgun from an upper-story window in the apartment building across the street from the memorial.
No injuries were reported, and the motive for the shooting remains unknown. Dietrich is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail, according to sheriff’s records.
Dietrich allegedly shot his gun as mourners gathered at Fernández’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located across the street from the apartment building. Fernández died Sunday at 81.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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