Gunman opens fire at Mexico soccer celebration in East L.A.; 4 wounded
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A night of fans celebrating Mexico’s performance in the World Cup tournament following their loss Sunday night turned violent in East Los Angeles when someone pulled out a gun and opened fire during an argument, authorities said.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, a person involved in an argument at Whittier Boulevard and Leonard Avenue opened fire about 9:35 p.m., wounding two men, one woman and a minor.
The two men were the intended victims and were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the department said.
The two other victims — the woman and the minor, a male — left the immediate area and contacted deputies elsewhere, according to the department. One victim contacted deputies about a mile away near Amalia Avenue and Whittier Boulevard. The second flagged down deputies near Amalia Avenue and East 6th Street. They were then taken to the hospital, also with non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.
Deputies initially believed multiple shootings had occurred, but later learned the injuries stemmed from the same incident.
There was no information available about the shooter Monday morning, and officials said no arrests have been made.
The incident occurred as crowds celebrated Mexico’s performance during the World Cup tournament following the team’s elimination Sunday night to England, losing 3-2.
During the tournament this summer, scores of Southern Californians have made a routine of going to Whittier Boulevard in East L.A. after Mexico games to celebrate with each other. Cars do doughnuts at intersections, teens and young adults livestream the scene to their online followers while others wave the Mexican flag and cheer.
Sunday’s incident was not the first post-game gathering to be tarnished with violence.
In Koreatown last month, a man was shot outside a watch party for the Mexico-South Korea game. He was expected to survive.
Anyone with information about Sunday’s incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department’s East L.A. station at (323) 264-4151.
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