Los Angeles: On Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at 7:04 p.m., police officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Division responded to a radio call of shots fired in the alley adjacent to the 1400 block of North Serrano Avenue.

Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a male Hispanic seated in a vehicle, who had sustained a gunshot wound.

Paramedics from the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the location and transported the victim to the Hollywood Presbyterian, Queen of Angels Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The Identity of the victim is being withheld, pending notification of family members.

At this time no suspects have been identified.

However, a witness reported seeing a male Hispanic in the area of the victim’s vehicle, just prior to hearing the gunshot, who was yelling obscenities and holding a wooden club. The club was subsequently recovered near the victim’s vehicle, although this person had fled from the area. His identity remains unknown.

Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department, Hollywood Area Homicide Section, are handling the investigation. Detectives are requesting public assistance in the identification of the suspect or suspects involved in this crime, as well as the identity of the male Hispanic who was armed with the club.

Detectives can be contacted directly at 213-485-6410, or a message may be left on the Hollywood Area Tip Line at 213-485-9168. On weekends and during off-hours, please call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Renee’ Montoya, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.