Shots Fired at Chinese Consulate in LA, One Arrested
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police said they have arrested a man in relation to a Thursday afternoon shooting outside the Chinese Consulate building in downtown Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Times reported that a protester fired nine shots at a security guard at about 2:15 p.m. local time, but only hit the building. The man, whose name wasn't released, turned himself in about three hours later, Officer Gregory Baek said.
A group demonstrating against human rights abuses in China had gathered outside the consulate earlier Thursday. One protester argued with a security guard after the guard allegedly took a sign and threw it in the trash. The protester then got into a vehicle and allegedly opened fire.
The security guard, Cipriano Gutierrez, told KCAL-9 television that there were about 20 people inside the consulate when the man fired at the building.
"I hit the ground and I was praying," Gutierrez told KCAL. "I grabbed phone books and put them over my head. A bullet came in the room right next to my knee. I thought I was going to die."
No injuries were reported.
A call to the consulate office wasn't immediately answered.
