What was supposed to be a late-night World Cup hangout at El Diamante Sports Bar on South Figueroa Street turned into a crime scene Thursday, after gunfire left two people wounded and a neighborhood rattled. The shots rang out as some patrons were arriving to catch a match, and officers moved in quickly. Police said the victims had minor injuries and were taken to a hospital, and no arrests had been reported by early Friday morning.
According to ABC7 Los Angeles, someone fired multiple rounds into the bar at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday. Two people were hit and transported to a hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. ABC7 reported that the Los Angeles Police Department is searching for the gunman and has opened an investigation into the shooting.
Bar's recent history
El Diamante has already been under scrutiny this year. In January, a man was shot and killed outside the bar, a case that prompted a manhunt and heightened concern among nearby residents, as reported by CBS Los Angeles. Coverage of the fatal shooting outside the bar added to the sense that the venue has become a repeat trouble spot, especially during busy game nights. Neighbors and regulars are now openly questioning how safe it is to show up when the place is packed for big events.
Investigation ongoing
The LAPD has not released a public suspect description, and detectives are asking anyone with information to contact authorities, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Officers were seen canvassing the area and checking nearby surveillance footage while detectives processed the scene. For now, the bar remains under a visible police presence as investigators gather evidence and interview witnesses, and the community waits to see whether this latest shooter will be tracked down.
