July 4 street takeover in South L.A. ends in fatal gunfire
A rowdy street takeover in South Los Angeles ended in the early hours of Monday with a fatal shooting.
About 200 people had gathered by 12:30 a.m. in the Vermont Vista neighborhood, at the intersection of Hoover Street and West Century Boulevard. Cellphone videos posted on KTLA show crowds of people cheering and cars skidding in performative circles.
The videos also show fireworks going off and a pickup truck in flames.
When police officers arrived at the scene, a few onlookers flagged them down and said that someone had been shot, according to Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Brent McGuire.
The victim, who was not identified, was rushed to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and pronounced dead, McGuire told KTLA.
“This is a growing problem that we’ve been dealing with,” McGuire said of street takeovers. “They often lead to more substantial crimes and people getting hurt.”
A motive for the shooting remains unclear. Police are calling on the public to provide any relevant videos or tips.
Anyone with information can call LAPD’s South Bureau Homicide Division at (323) 786-5100. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous can call Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.
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