Thieves trying to steal catalytic converter in LA fatally shoot man when he tries to stop them

A group of thieves fatally shot a man in South Los Angeles when he tried to stop them from stealing a catalytic converter from his vehicle Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. 

Police received a call at 3:15 a.m. about a shooting near West Pico Boulevard and South Hope Street, and upon arrival, found a 35-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds, LAPD said. 

Investigators learned the man saw three people trying to remove the catalytic converter and approached them. One of the suspects, all three of which remain at large, pulled out a gun and opened fire on the man. 

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the male suspects fled the scene.

No further information was provided by investigators, but people living in the area say the incident is troubling since the area is generally one of the safer parts of downtown. 

"It's seems like ever since the pandemic, it's gotten worse. The crime seems to be a bit out of hand," said Jim Childress, who has lived in the area for about a decade. "I'm worried. I'm worried for the people around me, I'm worried for myself."

The South Park neighborhood has recently made headlines because of the infamous "graffiti towers" which have attracted droves of people and heightened law enforcement presence in the area.