19-year-old gunshot victim is recovering

NORTHWEST GLENDALE — A 19-year-old Glendale man was recovering Wednesday in a local hospital after he was shot the night before during an argument, police said.

The gunshot victim, whose name wasn’t released, remained at Providence Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank, where he was being treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his buttocks, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

No arrests have been made in connection with Tuesday’s shooting, which police said did not appear to be gang related.

“This is not a random act,” Lorenz said.

The shooting occurred about 8 p.m. Tuesday on the sidewalk in front of an apartment building on the 1000 block of Justin Avenue, he said.

The victim, his friends and a group of men were arguing when it escalated and gunshots were fired, Lorenz said.

Soon after, police received calls from residents saying they had heard multiple gunshots and multiple vehicles fleeing the Justin Avenue neighborhood.

Officers arrived in the neighborhood, but were unable to find a shooter or victim.

Meanwhile, detectives interviewed witnesses and forensic investigators combed the scene to gather evidence.

Police immediately notified nearby local law enforcement agencies and hospitals that they were looking for a gunshot victim.

Soon after doing so, they learned that a gunshot victim had been admitted to Saint Joseph’s, so Burbank police responded to the hospital to provide additional help.

The victim’s friends had driven him to the hospital after the shooting, Lorenz said.

He has been cooperating with detectives, who are still trying to determine what the men were arguing about, Lorenz added.

A resident who declined to give his name was watching TV during the shooting, but he said he didn’t hear anything unusual, although children in the neighborhood often play with fireworks.

Anyone with details about the shooting may call the Robbery-Homicide unit at (818) 548-3987. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.