Downtown L.A. freeway shooting victim in critical condition

A driver shot on the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles was hospitalized in critical condition as officials searched for the gunman

The victim, whose identity hasn’t been released, was thrown from a car after being shot twice, investigators said.

The shooting occurred at about 5 p.m. between 8th and 9th streets, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Cecil Manresa.

Police were searching for the shooter, who fled in a burgundy or gray Toyota Camry with its rear window blown out.Although officials had indicated that southbound freeway lanes might be closed for eight hours while investigators searched for clues, the two lanes closest to the center divider were reopened by about 7:15 p.m. Caltrans freeway cameras showed that traffic, backed up more than a mile, was loosening up and traffic was moving at normal speeds by 8 p.m.

Investigators were attempting to determine whether the shooting might be gang-related and whether multiple perpetrators were involved, LAPD Sgt. John Kirkpatrick said.

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