Photo: Getty Images
REDONDO BEACH (CNS) - Redondo Beach police shot and killed a gunman suspected of wounding two people at the Redondo Beach Pier, and authorities this morning reported the wounded victims were in stable condition at a hospital.
Redondo Beach police received a call regarding a gunshot victim and an active shooter in the area of the Horseshoe Pier in the 100 block of West Torrance Boulevard about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, said Deputy Tracy Koerner of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which was aiding in the investigation.
On arrival, the Redondo officers found two gunshot victims, Koerner said.
Redondo Beach Police Lt. Shawn Freeman said officers pursued an armed shooting suspect and located him near a rock embankment by the beach's waterline.
Koerner said the suspect was armed with a handgun and a knife – and that when officers attempted to detain him, “an officer-involved shooting occurred.''
The suspect was struck in the upper torso and pronounced dead at the scene, Koerner said.
A handgun and knife were recovered at the scene, he said. No officers or additional civilians were injured, Koerner added.
One of the wounded victims was described by deputies as a juvenile boy, while the other was described as a man.
Both suffered single gunshot wounds to the lower torso and were taken to a hospital, where they were in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Koerner.
Neither the wounded victims nor the shooter were immediately identified.
Sheriff's Homicide Bureau detectives were assisting the Redondo Beach PD with what was being called “an attempted murder/officer-involved shooting investigation.''
Witnesses described a scary and chaotic scene at the usually bustling pier.
One man told KTLA-5 he was shot at and that his ear was still ringing hours later because “it was that close.''
“He just missed me again as I was ducking,'' the man told KTLA, referring to the shooter.
Joe Granda was in Tony's on the Pier with his brother when they heard what sounded like five loud cracks. He told the Los Angeles Times that he and other patrons hid under tables, and that about five to 10 minutes later he saw police swarm the pier.
Granda said he was able to see a man he thinks was the shooter hurdle over a railing and fall onto rocks below the pier with officers in pursuit.
He told the Times that he heard about five gunshots and saw the man stumble.
Reports from the scene showed pedestrians being evacuated from the pier, and occupants of restaurants and businesses in the area were advised to shelter in place as police investigated.
Per the policy of the Redondo Beach PD, the Sheriff's Department has been requested to be the primary investigating agency for this officer-involved shooting, Freeman said.
Anyone with information about was asked to contact the Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Copyright 2021, City News Service, Inc.