Los Angeles: On October 19, 2002, at approximately 3:00 a.m., Southeast Area Patrol Officers were at Kaiser Hospital at 25825 South Vermont Avenue. The officers were advised by a citizen that a vehicle had crashed into a sign at the entrance to the hospital off Pacific Coast Highway. The officers, with the assistance of some community members, were able to free the male from under the vehicle. Further investigation revealed the victim had been shot several times in the upper torso. The victim has been identified as 27 year-old Marcos Ortiz.

Paramedics of the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and pronounced the man dead at the scene. A second victim, a 24 year-old male, was removed from the vehicle and transported to Harbor/UCLA Medical Center and admitted in stable condition for injuries he sustained when the vehicle overturned.

The motive for, and the location of, the shooting are unknown at this time. No information is available on the suspect(s) and weapon used.

Harbor Area Homicide Detectives are seeking assistance from the public in solving this case. Anyone with information is asked to call 310 548-2835 during business hours. After hours please call the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

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