Four people were shot Sunday night in East Los Angeles as crowds poured onto the streets following the Mexico-England World Cup match, authorities said. Deputies responded to multiple locations along and near Whittier Boulevard at about 10 p.m., found several gunshot victims, and had them transported to local hospitals. Investigators say the motive is still unknown.
According to NBC Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is treating the locations as a single shooting scene, even though the victims were discovered in different spots along the Whittier corridor. All four injured people were taken to hospitals and, as of about 10:15 p.m., no suspect had been taken into custody. Officials did not immediately release the conditions of those wounded.
World Cup crowds and street takeovers
The shooting unfolded near intersections where World Cup celebrations have been spilling into the streets, with fans waving flags, honking horns and blocking traffic along Whittier Boulevard. Earlier this week, ABC7 documented recent street takeovers on the east side, showing how quickly revelry can clog intersections and complicate emergency access.
Whittier Boulevard's recent safety history
The stretch of Whittier Boulevard where victims were found has already been on law enforcement’s radar, with deputies frequently called for shootings and crowd-control issues. Earlier this year, a fatal shooting in the 4700 block of Whittier Boulevard underscored long-running safety concerns along the corridor.
How investigators say you can help
Detectives are asking anyone who was in the area or who may have captured video of the incident to contact them. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says tips can be directed to the LASD Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or submitted anonymously to L.A. Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. The department’s site includes instructions on how to share video and other digital evidence. LASD provides guidance for reporting information to detectives.
Authorities say residents should expect a strong law-enforcement presence and potential street closures along Whittier Boulevard while investigators work the case. This story will be updated as officials release more details.
