BODERLINE NEIGHBORHOOD — Two people were shot, one apparently an innocent bystander, in a possible gang-related shooting Wednesday night, the suspects leading local police on a short chase on Interstate-10 before ditching their truck and fleeing on foot.
The victims, an 18 year-old male and a man in his 70s, were wounded in the leg and transported to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries, said SMPD Sgt. Jay Trisler.
Armed with a helicopter, officers set up a perimeter that stretched from Bundy Drive south to Peal Street, and north to the I-10, Trisler said. Both suspects, 17 and 19, were apprehended within the perimeter by 10:30 p.m. Both suspects were described as Latin males wearing black T-shirts. They were booked for attempted homicide.
The shooting took place around 6:10 p.m. near the corner of Seventh and Ruskin streets, blocks from Ozone Park and the Venice border. Officers responded to the area after receiving a report of “shots fired.”
When officers arrived, they found the two victims and learned that the suspects fled in a white truck. Officers located the truck as it traveled northbound on Fourth Street onto the eastbound I-10 freeway. The driver refused to pull over. The pursuit ended when the suspects ditched the truck at the Centinela Avenue off-ramp and jumped down the embankment.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Michael Bambrick (310) 458-8937 or Sergeant Ira Rutan (310) 458-8959 or the on duty Watch Commander (24 hours) (310) 458-8427.
kevinh@www.smdp.com