Police on Thursday night found no hostages and no gunman after responding to reports that an armed ex-employee of Homeboy Bakery was holding people hostage inside the downtown business.
"At this point in the investigation it appears to be a criminal threat, not a hostage situation," Sgt. Ryan Whitman said Thursday night. Friday morning, police clarified and said the incident did not involve a criminal threat.
Police received the call about the situation about 10:22 p.m. in the business, which is located in the 100 block of Bruno Street near Chinatown, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
At least 20 police patrol cars were at the scene as officials investigated. Six employees were escorted out of the building as police searched the building. Streets were reopened just before midnight after police determined no gunman and no hostages were at the scene.
The alleged suspect came to the business and threatened one of the employees, Whitman said.
Police have identified suspect but are not actively searching for him as of Friday morning. A manager at Homeboy Industries says that the suspect is former employee.
Whitman added that police are interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage to confirm additional details.
The car of one of the employees that was parked outside the building was vandalized, according to police. The tires were slashed, police said.
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Homeboy Bakery is part of Homeboy Industries, a successful gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program that offers counseling, education, employment and even tattoo removal to gang members.
Details about what prompted the call about a hostage situation were not clear.
