Los Angeles: On Saturday March 31, 2001 at approximately 12:10 a.m., the victim and suspects became involved in a physical altercation at 909 East 1st Street in downtown Los Angeles. During the course of the altercation one of the suspects armed himself with a handgun and shot the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital by City paramedics where he failed to respond to treatment and died from the gunshot injury. The suspects fled the location in a small white compact vehicle.

The shooting suspect is described as a male Hispanic 5'8"/5'10", 180/185 pounds, 25/30 years of age, with short hair. The motive for the shooting has not been established.

The victim's identity is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Central Area Homicide Detectives at 213-485-2671.

This press release was prepared by Officer Don Cox, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.