Mar Vista Shooter Still at Large

A suspect who shot a 19-year-old gang member in the head in Mar Vista was at large today.

The victim was in critical condition after the shooting, which occurred about 11:30 a.m. Friday, police said.

The male suspect was on foot when he approached the victim outside an apartment building in the 12400 block of Washington Place, near Centinela Avenue, and shot him in the head with an unknown type of gun, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The wounded man was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Officer Jack Richter of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section.

Police set up a perimeter but were unable to locate the suspect and he remained at large today, police said.

A description of the gunman was not available as witnesses were uncooperative with investigators, said Sgt. James Mankey of the LAPD’s Pacific Station.

Although police said the victim was a documented gang member, the exact circumstances and motive for the shooting remained under investigation.

Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to contact the LAPD’s West Bureau Homicide investigators at (213) 382-9470. After-hours calls can be made to (877) LAPD-24-7 and anonymous tips can be provided by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

• City News Service