A man shot near the Universal City Overlook drove himself nearly a mile away before stopping on a quiet Hollywood Hills West street, where LAPD officers found his black Ford SUV with a flat tire and blood in the road late Sunday night. The victim was taken to a hospital, and as of Monday, police had not released information about his condition or identified any suspects.
LAPD officers responded to the 2900 block of La Castana Drive at 11:45 p.m. Sunday after receiving a report of a shooting victim at that location, according to a police spokesperson cited by KTLA. Investigators believe the man had been shot in the area of the Universal City Overlook and drove himself to the residential block before he was found, per the outlet's reporting. La Castana Drive is less than a mile from the overlook off Mulholland Drive, in Hollywood Hills West according to travel guide Trip.com.
Video from the scene showed what appeared to be blood in the street, and the station's report noted a black Ford SUV sitting nearby with a flat tire. Citizen.com footage from the 7700 block of Mulholland Drive showed several evidence markers laid out along the roadway, according to the same account. Police have not released a description of any suspect or suspects, and the motive for the shooting remains unknown.
A Landmark With a History of After-Hours Trouble
The Universal City Overlook is described by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, which maintains the site and oversees seven scenic overlooks along the Mulholland Scenic Parkway. The shooting was reported Sunday night in the area of the overlook. The overlook was built in 1984 with funding from Universal Studios ahead of the Los Angeles Summer Olympics, giving visitors panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley and Verdugo Hills, per the MRCA.
Mulholland Drive's scenic overlooks have been discussed. After-hours activity at Mulholland overlooks has also drawn attention. The site has also been discussed.
Traffic-Calming Efforts Followed Years of Complaints
Persistent reports of illegal late-night street racing and speeding around the scenic viewpoints along Mulholland Drive have drawn attention to traffic conditions along the corridor. Traffic-calming efforts near the Universal City Overlook have also been discussed.
The overlook and the hillside below it have drawn scrutiny for unrelated reasons. An abandoned home located below the Universal City Overlook became the focus of concern over a potential fire, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles. Neighbors have expressed concern about the neglected property.
Part of a Winding, Historic — and Sometimes Dangerous — Corridor
Mulholland Drive's 55-mile Scenic Parkway and Corridor traces back to a 24-mile road built in 1924 under Los Angeles Chief Engineer William Mulholland, and the route celebrated its centennial in 2024, according to Discover Los Angeles. The winding road includes hills.
LAPD investigators continue to work Sunday night's shooting, with the victim's condition, the shooter's identity, and any connection to activity at the closed overlook all still unanswered as of Monday.
