EXPOSITION PARK (CNS) - At least one Los Angeles Police officer fired at shooting suspects in Exposition Park, where an investigation continues.
Officers were on patrol near Jefferson Boulevard and Budlong Avenue at 11:30 p.m. Saturday when a vehicle with multiple people inside shot at two pedestrians in the street, according to Officer D. Ortiz of the LAPD Operations Center.
That's when the officer-involved-shooting occurred, Ortiz said. As the suspects fled, officers set up a perimeter and called for back up officers from several other LAPD stations, an LAPD watch commander from 77th Station confirmed.
That quickly led police to an It's Boba Time bubble tea spot at Vermont Avenue and 36th Place, where officers believed at least one suspect had barricaded themselves inside, Ortiz said.
Video posted to the social media app Citizen showed police escorting several people -- who had apparently been taken hostage -- to safety, from the restaurant.
At 11:54 p.m. Saturday, a USC spokesperson said there was no risk to students who live nearby. "No immediate threat exists," the spokesperson said. "If you reside within this area, please stay inside and report any suspicious activity to (the university's Department of Public Safety)."
However, school officials cautioned those living outside the area to stay away.
An LAPD media officer was sent to the area and was gathering information as of 2 a.m., Ortiz said.
As of 5 a.m., it remained unclear how many, if any, of the shooting suspects had been taken into custody.
Police activity continued in the area of 30th Street and Budlong Avenue, as well as Walton Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard, USC officials said at 5:19 a.m.