No suspect, no motive in fatal Valley Glen shooting
One person is dead and two others were wounded following a shooting in North Hollywood Wednesday night.
According to Los Angeles Police Department, the shooting occurred at around 8:15 p.m. in the area near Fulton Avenue and Hart Street.
Responding officers found three males in an alley suffering from gunshot wounds. One victim was unconscious and was not breathing, police said. Paramedics declared that person dead at the scene.
The two other shooting victims were hospitalized. One victim was listed in critical condition, while the other was treated and released after suffering a flesh wound to the leg.
That victim said he didn't recognize the shooter, and he's unsure why anyone would target his friends.
Witnesses told investigators the victims were part of a group of five people who were hanging out in a carport. They were fired upon by an unknown gunman, who then reportedly fled on foot.
"We just heard the gunshots, we were having dinner," said one person living in the area, who also noted that the sound of gunshots ringing out in their neighborhood isn't out of the ordinary. "I looked and said, 'That's not firecrackers, that's gunshots.' My son tried to give him CPR."
The deceased victim was identified as 39-year-old North Hollywood resident Feliz Cruz Menjivar, police said.
Neighbors remember Menjivar as a friendly and hardworking man, who enjoyed coaching soccer for young athletes. A growing memorial could be seen against the wall of the alley where he was shot Wednesday evening.
"He was a good friend," said Yelenae Vdovich, a friend of Menjivar. "Playing soccer all the time, hanging out with friends."
No motive was immediately determined and no suspect information was available. Investigators said none of the victims have gang connections, but they're still looking into whether the shooting may have been gang-related in some fashion. They're checking surveillance camera footage from the surrounding area in hopes of getting a better picture of the shooter.
Anyone with additional information is urged to call Valley Bureau Homicide Detective Steve Castro at (818) 374-1925.