PANORAMA CITY(CNS) — A shooting on a secluded street in Panorama City on Sunday, Oct. 12., left a 22-year-old man dead and two suspects on the run, Los Angeles police said.
The gunfire was reported about noon in the 14600 block of Novice Street, east of Van Nuys Boulevard, according to Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding offer of the Mission Detective Division.
The victim — identified by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office as Esli Garay, whose place of residence was unknown — was shot multiple times at close range and was pronounced dead at the scene, Vernon said.
The man suspected of shooting him fled in the SUV along with a woman who was driving, he said.
“It appears the victim climbed over a child’s car seat in the back seat and got out of the SUV on the curb side. He turned away from the car when the shooter exited the front passenger door and shot him from behind,” Vernon said. “It seems the victim had no idea what was happening.”
The suspects were believed to be between 25 and 30 years old. The suspected shooter is Hispanic, has a medium build, shaved or short hair and was wearing a green shirt and jeans, police said. A description of the woman was not made available.
Vernon said that since they were all in the same vehicle “we would deduce the victim knew his assailants, but even that is supposition at this point.”
The vehicle was described as a gold SUV, possibly a Toyota 4Runner or Chevrolet Blazer.
“This is a secluded street with limited access,” Vernon said. “Perhaps that was by design on the part of the suspects.”
He said a motive for the shooting remained unclear.