The Comedy Store set to reopen one day after deadly shooting

The Comedy Store will reopen its doors Thursday night, a day after a 23-year-old man was fatally shot while standing outside on the venue’s patio.

The venue announced it would reopen at 7 p.m. after closing its doors Wednesday night as investigators combed the scene for evidence and talked to patrons who witnessed the deadly shooting.

The victim was identified as Richard James, said Ed Winter, L.A. County coroner spokesman. James’ city of residence was not known, he said.

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Detectives have not released new details of the shooting and have not said whether James was attending a show that night.

The shooting occurred about 12:49 a.m. Wednesday outside the club in the 8400 block of Sunset Boulevard.

James was standing with a group of people on the patio when a gunman wearing a hoodie walked up and opened fire, said Lt. Steve Jauch of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

James was struck at least once in the upper torso and was taken to a hospital, where he died.

The gunman ran away before deputies arrived, Jauch said.

Detectives planned to contact businesses in the area to review surveillance footage.

More than 150 people were watching shows and performances by comedians including Bobby Lee from “Mad TV,” Ron White, Erik Griffin and Bret Ernst. Comedians were performing up until the shooting.

The man’s death is the first homicide reported in West Hollywood in the last 12 months, according to The Times Homicide Report.

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