Early in the morning on Tuesday, a man was shot while he was pumping gas at a Speedway gas station on Parthenia Street in Northridge, as reported by KTLA. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to the incident at approximately 6:20 a.m. The victim, a 45-year-old man, sustained at least one gunshot wound and was, subsequently, taken to a hospital for treatment—his current condition has not been shared with the public.
The early reports did not conclusively establish if the gunshot originated from within the vicinity of the gas station. The LAPD is on the lookout for a suspect, last seen donning a gray hoodie and fleeing north on Tampa Avenue, as per the information provided by the police and later corrected; he was initially said to be running on Topanga Canyon Boulevard but this has been reviewed, the perpetrator's exact location is unknown, and the manhunt is ongoing.
NBC Los Angeles has noted the randomness and senselessness of the attack with a customer expressing their dismay, "It's random, it's senseless," Rob Kirkava, a customer, said, "Obviously, it shows a lack of morality." The weapon used in the assault is believed to be a BB gun, and the attack appears to have been completely unprovoked. As of the last update, no arrests have been made, and a detailed description of the shooter was not available.
Despite being shot, the victim managed to retain consciousness, alertly walked into the gas station's mini-mart to seek assistance, and even contacted his family, who retrieved his car from the scene, which FOX LA detailed. Investigators speculate that what may have saved the man's life is that the gun used could have been a BB gun or another type of small-caliber firearm.
The LAPD is urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Devonshire Station at 818-832-0633 or to call 877-LAPD-247. The community remains on edge, as the shooter is still at large, and law enforcement officers continue their search.
