Argument on Street Results in Gunfire in North Hills

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, November 13, 2000

"Argument on Street Results in Gunfire in North Hills"

North Hills – On Sunday, November 12, 2000, at approximately 12:15 a.m., Devonshire Area patrol officers were hailed by a citizen in the area of Nordhoff Blvd and Columbus Avenue, in North Hills. The citizen advised the officers there was a body lying in the street near Columbus Avenue and Sunburst Street. The officers went to Columbus Avenue to investigate and observed a male Hispanic lying motionless on the south parkway of Sunburst Street, east of Columbus Avenue. The victim, identified as a 20-year-old male Hispanic of Panorama City, appeared to have received several gunshot wounds in the upper body. Rescue ambulance personnel were summoned and the victim was transported to Holy Cross Hospital in extremely critical condition.

Witnesses to the shooting stated they observed several male Hispanics loitering near the intersection of Columbus and Sunburst, some of which appeared to be engaged in street sales of narcotics. The victim was among the group and an argument erupted between he and another male Hispanic, which escalated quickly. The suspect arguing with the victim produced a handgun and shot him several times at close range. The suspect and others in the area immediately fled on foot in various directions.

Devonshire Homicide personnel are attempting to locate additional witnesses. A motive for the attempt murder of the victim has not been established. The identity of the suspect remains unknown.

Anyone with information that would assist in the resolution of this investigation is urged to contact the Devonshire Area Community Police Station at 818-756-8291.

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

For Release 11:30 am PST
November 13, 2000