LAPD Officers Kill Suspect Who Opened Fire on Crowd

May 13, 2014
Officers shot and killed an armed man early Monday after gunfire broke out near a nightclub.

Los Angeles police officers shot and killed an armed man early Monday after gunfire broke out near a nightclub at Universal CityWalk, authorities said.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office identified the man as James Renee White Jr., 21. His city of residence was not immediately available.

Police from LAPD's North Hollywood Division responded to a call at 1:15 a.m. that a crowd was causing a disturbance, said LAPD Media Relations Officer Drake Madison.

When officers arrived, they saw a large crowd gathered outside the club and heard gunfire, Madison said. Police took cover, saw a man standing outside with a gun and fired at him.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded and pronounced the suspect dead at the scene.

Three bystanders were taken to the hospital, but their injuries were not shooting related, Madison said. No officers were hurt.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, but sources from various news media said the disturbance may have stemmed from a fight that broke out at the Infusion Lounge.

Universal City is partly in the city of Los Angeles and partly unincorporated. However, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department largely provides law enforcement services through a contract with the Universal Studios Hollywood amusement park.

In this case, the LAPD responded because the call came into the city's North Hollywood Division and occurred on a side of CityWalk the police force oversees, Madison said.

A spokeswoman said Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk are open for business as usual.

"As one of L.A.'s most visited family destinations, CityWalk will continue to provide the most comprehensive security available," read a statement provided by Universal. "We are committed to the safety and security of our guests and are working closely with law enforcement as their investigation unfolds in this isolated incident."

Copyright 2014 - Daily News, Los Angeles

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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