A gunshot victim has died after an early morning shooting-turned-vehicle pursuit that began in South LA and ended near LAX Friday.
Police initially responded to reports of a shooting around 1:50 a.m. on the 500 block of West 53rd Street in front of the Good Shepherd Baptist Church. Upon arrival, LAPD officers notice a van leaving the area at a high rate of speed. Officers tried to stop the van, but a pursuit ensued on the southbound 110 Freeway and westbound 105 Freeway.
The van traveled almost 20 miles before eventually crashed near the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard in Westchester near LAX. The three suspects were taken into custody and were being treated at a hospital for injuries resulting from the crash.
The gunshot victim was in critical condition and was undergoing surgery, but police confirmed he died early Friday morning.
The shooting appeared to be gang-related and that victim was a gang member, police said.
Police believe the suspects tossed the gun on the 110 Freeway near Manchester Boulevard. As a result, LAPD and California Highway Patrol officers shut down the freeway to search for the weapon.
The southbound 76th Street onramp to the 110 Freeway was closed for investigation but reopened at 5 a.m.
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Police did recover the weapon involved the shooting.
The westbound lanes of Lincoln Boulevard at Sepulveda Boulevard near LAX is closed for investigation.
