L.A. Live shooting was a targeted killing by masked gunman, police believe
A masked gunman opened fire inside a restaurant at L.A. Live on Tuesday evening, killing one person and wounding another in what police said appeared to be a targeted attack before fleeing in a car.
The shooting marks the first killing at the downtown Los Angeles dining and entertainment complex that is home to Crypto.com Arena, where the Lakers, Clippers, Sparks and Kings play their home games, said Capt. Raul Jovel of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Shortly after 6 p.m., the gunman parked his car on Figueroa Boulevard outside Fixins Soul Kitchen near the arena, walked in wearing a mask and dark clothes, and fired a handgun at a 43-year-old man, Jovel said. The man collapsed, and several people tried to help him, authorities said. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead; his identity is being withheld pending notification of his family.
The second victim, described only as a woman, suffered a graze wound and was treated at the scene, according to authorities.
A motive has not been determined, but the brazen shooting in the downtown core is believed to have been unprovoked and isolated, and the man appeared to have been targeted, police said. It’s unclear whether the shooter exchanged words with the victim.
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The suspected gunman fled the scene in a white midsize SUV, according to authorities, and no arrests have been made.
Law enforcement emphasized that the shooter is not likely to be a threat to the greater public, though patrons at L.A. Live can expect increased police patrols and security.
“You know, this is part of living in a big city,” Jovel said. “When I heard about this, I was just as shocked as anybody else was. I was like, L.A. Live? This is a very safe place. It’s a family-friendly place. There’s an ice rink that’s open until midnight here every day. I’ve been here with my family myself.”
Crypto.com Arena was not hosting an event Tuesday night.
On Wednesday morning, District of Columbia resident Mark Wilsoon walked around L.A. Live in a Washington Capitals hockey sweater. He and a group of friends had flown into Los Angeles the night before to watch the Capitals take on the Kings on Wednesday.
He hadn’t heard about the shooting but said he didn’t think it would dissuade him from eating at L.A. Live later in the day and going to the game.
“I think the LAPD are doing a fine job,” Wilsoon said.
The man was wearing a high-visibility vest while walking on South Normandie Avenue before he was struck by an out-of-control LAPD cruiser.
Tyler Cummins was in the downtown area Tuesday night just after the shooting happened. He saw police setting up around the restaurants and sports bars, but thought it was part of a movie shoot.
“I feel like it could happen at any restaurant if the person intends to carry out that type of shooting,” he said, adding that it would not deter him from bringing his out-of-town relatives to L.A. Live later in the day.
On Wednesday morning, Fixins Soul Kitchen opened its doors for the early lunch crowd. Extra security stood outside the front door, and inside there was little sign of the shooting that unfolded the night before.
Community organizer Najee Ali was among the crowd eating lunch with a group of activists who wanted to show that the shooting would not deter them from visiting the restaurant.
“We have a right to eat with our families and feel safe,” Ali said. “I have patronized at L.A. Live and Fixins restaurant since they opened. I’ve always felt safe and comfortable here.
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Restaurant owner Kevin Johnson, former mayor of Sacramento and three-time NBA All-Star with the Phoenix Suns, shook hands with patrons as they sat down to eat and thanked them. He declined to comment about the shooting.
Representatives for Fixins Soul Kitchen, which also has locations in Sacramento and Tulsa, Okla., issued a statement Tuesday night in response to the shooting.
“Fixins Soul Kitchen is shocked and saddened by the incident that occurred this evening at our L.A. location,” the statement read. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones.”
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Anyone with information about the shooting can contact the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division at (213) 486-6890. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to (877) LAPD-24-7
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