Lyft Passenger Fatally Shot Right After Being Dropped Off In Lawndale
LAWNDALE (CBSLA) — A Lawndale neighborhood is a crime scene Friday after a man was shot to death as he was being dropped off by a Lyft ride.
The shooting was reported in the 4500 block of West 173rd Street at about 1:30 a.m. The Lyft driver, who took off after the shooting, called police to report what happened.
Police found the man in the middle of the street. He had been shot several times in the chest and was pronounced dead at a hospital.
"It just happened right in front of the building too, where I live at, so it's very scary," resident Ozzy Chic said.
The man's age and identity have not been released, but a neighbor says he had just gotten out of prison a few months ago after serving a 10-year sentence. Police say it's not clear if he was headed home or was visiting someone in the area.
The Lyft driver apparently panicked when the gunshots erupted, authorities said.
"He had just dropped the victim off. The victim had walked away from his car and it occurred behind his car. He heard the shots and he got out of there," Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Derrick Alfred said.
Lyft released the following statement:
"We are deeply saddened by this senseless violence and resulting loss of life. Since we were made aware of this tragic incident, we have been working to make contact with the rider's family. We have also reached out to the driver to extend our support and stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation."
The shooting was believed to be gang related.