KTLA

Police investigating after shooting in Westlake leaves 1 person dead

Police are investigating after a short pursuit and a shooting led to at least one person being killed in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles Sunday night.  

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to the area of 8th and Park View streets around 9:40 p.m. on reports of a shooting, LAPD told KTLA.  

At the scene, police found a gunshot victim, later identified as 25-years-old Miguel Velasquez. He was declared dead at the scene.

According to police, Velasquez had been standing on a sidewalk in the area when two men approached, a verbal argument began and one of the men pulled out a gun and shot him in the chest.

The two men then fled on scooters, police said, adding that they believe the attack was gang-related.

Police also said that a short pursuit was initiated, lasting all of a minute. It is unclear where the chase started and how it ended, though officers did say that the suspect was not at the scene of the shooting.

LAPD on the scene of a shooting investigation that left one person dead on July 2, 2023 in Westlake. (Citizen App)

Video of the scene posted to the Citizen App showed a heavy police presence with an intersection cordoned off while authorities investigated.  

It is unclear if any arrests have been made.  

Nancy Fontan contributed to this report.