Man shot and killed in apparent car-to-car shooting in Watts; homicide investigation underway

A homicide investigation was launched in Watts early Wednesday morning after a man was found shot to death in his vehicle near a gas station. 

"You never know what's going to happen," said South LA resident Roberto Gutierrez. "It's very unfortunate but it's more and more common."

The shooting was first reported at around 1:30 a.m. near the gas station located at the intersection of Imperial Highway and Central Avenue. 

"It's getting ridiculous out here in L.A.," said Compton resident Breonna Samuels. 

When Los Angeles Police Department officers arrived at the scene, they found a man dead inside of his vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 

"Way too many guns, too many people that's willing to use them to do bad things," said LAPD Captain Adrian Gonzalez.

The victim was identified as 48-year-old Los Angeles resident Carlos Hernandez. He leaves behind a wife, two sons and a daughter.

Surveillance footage showed another vehicle closely following Hernandez's before shots were fired. 

Witnesses from the scene reported that another vehicle sped away from the area just after the gunshots were heard. 

At the same time, LAPD also received another call of a shooting victim that had just arrived to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, but they were not sure if the two incidents were connected. 

There was no suspect information immediately available. 

As the investigation progressed, officers expected the intersection to be closed for some time and that drivers avoid the area. 

Gonzalez also offered advice if a victim is threatened by someone on the freeway.

"At least on the freeway, it's easier for [California Highway Patrol] to get to you and locate you, versus taking turns," he said. 

He also told drivers to maintain a safe speed and continue moving.