Authorities are investigating a recent shooting that killed one person and injured two others on the popular Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The incident took place in the wee hours of Saturday morning. LAPD identified the victims as “black men” in their early-to-mid 30s, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The three men sustained multiple shots as they exited a building near Hollywood Boulevard and Cherokee Avenue at 1:20 a.m.
One was pronounced dead at the scene while the other two were taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and listed in stable condition, KTLA learned from police.
Little information is available about the “suspects” who fled in a car, according to LAPD.
However, that may soon change as several people witnessed the shooting, which took place in the vicinity of one of the most popular nightlife areas in Hollywood.
“Hollywood is a very busy place, especially at nighttime hours, 1 a.m.,” LAPD Detective Sean Kinchla told KTLA “You have clubs getting out, restaurants open and there were a lot of people in the area.”
Police are asking for witnesses’ help in tracking down the suspects.
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“At 1:00 a.m. you have clubs getting out, restaurants are open, so it’s very active and a lot of people in the area,” Kinchla told NBC Los Angeles. “At this point, we’re canvassing for witnesses as well as looking for any video that may have captured the incident.”
The incident surprised many local business owners who say the area is largely safe.
“This is a tourist attraction, so you don’t expect shootings and murders happening on Hollywood and Cherokee,” David Orr, who works at the nearby “Escape Hotel Hollywood” attraction, told KTLA. “This is our spot, our home, our neighborhood.”
“As close as it was to Hollywood Boulevard, it’s surprising no one else got hurt,” Art Mendoza, the owner of Happy Hollywood Tours, added.
Authorities launched a probe into the incident, seeking information on potential suspects.
“Hollywood always has a very heavy [police] deployment on the boulevard,” the LAPD detective noted. “At this point, we’re canvassing for witnesses and looking for any video that may have captured it.”
“As close as it was to Hollywood Boulevard, it’s surprising no one else got hurt,” Art Mendoza, the owner of Happy Hollywood Tours.
Some people had to scramble to get to safety.
“My song was performing on stage and I get a whisper in my ear that a shooting has occurred outside, so my mind was blown,” a man identified only as Smokey from Smoke Bomb Entertainment told NBC Los Angeles, noting that he struggled to get to safety as he hosted an event nearby.
“I just gathered my whole team together and said ‘Hey man, a shooting happened outside,'” Smokey added.
