Man Gunned Down in Apartment Parking Lot ID'd

Police believe the shooting is not gang-related.

Police on Tuesday identified a man shot at a San Fernando Valley apartment as Jorge Arturo Lopez, 34, of Pacoima.

He was visiting family members when he was shot and killed early Tuesday in the complex's parking lot, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

The shooting occurred around 12:20 a.m. in the 12700 block of Branford Street in Pacoima. He was standing outside in the parking lot of the Branford Villas apartment complex.

According to police, two men walked up the victim and shot him. Witnesses told police they saw two people believed to be involved in the shooting running away after the sound of gunfire.

"We were scared," said resident Veronica Melendez. "We went outside to see what happened."

The victim, who was visiting relatives at the apartment, was taken to the hospital where he died in surgery.

Police confirm a man who was found hiding underneath a truck has been detained for questioning. It is unclear whether he is a suspect, a potential victim or someone who was "in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Authorities established a search perimeter to the north of Branford Street from Amboy Avenue to Laurel Canyon Boulevard. A gun was found in a nearby trash bin, but authorities did not immediately confirm the weapon was used in the slaying.

Police said they believe the shooting is not gang-related.

NBC4's Jonathan Lloyd contributed to this report.

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