A drug deal escalated into a shooting Saturday at a West Hills shopping center leaving one person dead, three people hospitalized and two people arrested after a pursuit.
The shooting was reported about 3:45 p.m. in the shopping center at Fallbrook Avenue and Vanowen Street, Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton told reporters at the scene.
A dispute occurred that was “centered around a narcotics transaction,” Hamilton said. “Multiple suspects fired at each other.”
When the shooting ended, one male was dead at the scene and three people were taken to hospitals with wounds not believed life-threatening, he said.
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A suspect who fled the scene was involved in a hit-and-run crash that injured one innocent person and the suspect then switched vehicles and continued to flee, Hamilton said. A police helicopter was overhead directing ground units to the fleeing suspect. The officer inside witnessed the crash and watched the suspect change vehicles.
Patrol units caught up with the suspect at Owensmouth Avenue and Saticoy Street in Canoga Park, Hamilton said. A female driver and the male suspect were taken into custody.
Investigators will interview the wounded people to determine their involvement in what Hamilton initially called a “shootout.” He told reporters at the scene that he believes everyone involved in the fatal shooting is either under arrest or hospitalized.
