Two people were killed and eight others wounded in a shooting at an underground New Year's Eve party in downtown Los Angeles early Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Just before 1 a.m. on New Year's Day, officers received a radio call of a shooting in the area of 15th Street and Santa Fe Avenue. As they approached the cross streets, they heard gunfire coming from nearby Porter Street and Santa Fe Avenue. A large crowd was leaving the area, and many injured people were lying on the street and sidewalks, a police news release said.
A man and a woman were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Authorities initially reported three people injured early Monday, but an afternoon update said eight people were injured in addition to the two killed. The injured persons were treated at hospitals, but police did not provide any information about their conditions.
The shooting victims were attending a New Year's Eve party in the 2300 block of Porter Street. Authorities believe the shooting was sparked by an argument between people in the crowd. No information on the suspect was immediately available.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to call Det. Justin Howarth (213) 996-4143. Anonymous tips can be sent to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or www.lacrimestoppers.org.
