Skidrow Shooting Video Released NR10366pv

July 16, 2010

Los Angeles:  LAPD detectives are investigating an early-morning shooting in downtown Los Angeles, during which a 19-year-old man was seriously wounded but expected to live.  The shooting occurred on July 4, 2010, at 5:20 a.m.  It was the third shooting in the area since May 19, 2010.  

“These shootings are all related to late-night drug activity and disputes involving rival drug dealers,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Central Detective Division.  “Shootings are rare downtown, so when we have three in the same vicinity, we take it very seriously.”

Detectives released the video which shows two vantages along 7th Street, between Main and Spring Streets.  “A man in a plaid shirt appears to peer east down the sidewalk looking for his intended victim,” Lt. Vernon explained.  “When he sees the victim walking toward him, he meets up with another man who turns out later to be the shooter.”

The two men then walk into an alcove and emerge about a minute later.  The westbound-looking camera captures the image of the shooter, dressed in a hoodie, baseball cap and dark clothing, who raises a gun and shoots repeatedly at a 19-year-old man in a white shirt who is walking toward the shooter with a young woman.  A third person in a hat is behind the two.

“While the three were together, we believe the 19-year-old man was the intended target,” Lt. Vernon said.  “He was shot twice, but is expected to recover from his wounds.”  No other person was injured in the shooting.  The victim, who is from San Bernardino, is on probation for drug offenses and refused to cooperate with detectives.

“We share the public’s concern over this activity,” Lt. Vernon added.  “We’ve received a number of tips and other offers of help from the local community, and we are taking advantage of the help in our extra efforts to target this problem.”

On May 19, local residents reported hearing gunshots near the Huntington Hotel located at 756 South Main Street.  Police found impact marks on an exterior wall, but no one was injured and no one reported being shot at.  The next night, a 55-year-old man was on the corner of 7th and Main Streets, just north of the Huntington Hotel, looking for a bus to South Los Angeles, when he was shot.  In that case, it was not clear whether the victim, who recovered from his wound, was the intended target.  “He said he had gotten off a bus from Hollywood where he lives,” Lt. Vernon said.  “He could not remember what bus he had taken, and he was unsure where to find his next bus.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Mark Campbell at 213-972-1214.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact
Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

The video footage is available for viewing and recording off screen at the Central Police Station.  Contact Lt. Vernon at 213-972-1203.