KTLA

Woman fatally shot while sitting on Metro train in Hollywood; gunman remains at large

Police are searching for a gunman who shot and killed a woman as she sat on a Los Angeles Metro Rail train in Hollywood Sunday morning.

Authorities responded to the Hollywood and Vine station after receiving a call about the shooting at 5:11 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department Officer Lopez confirmed.

Witnesses said a male passenger appeared to be agitated and got into an argument with a woman who was seated on the train.

He then pulled out a gun and shot the woman when the train stopped at the Hollywood and Vine station, witnesses told police.

The gunfire apparently struck the woman in the neck, LAPD spokesperson Rick Jagger said.

Citizens were performing CPR on the victim when officers arrived and assisted with first aid.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel transported the victim to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead, Lopez said.

The shooter exited the train after the shooting and fled onto Hollywood Boulevard in an unknown direction.

He was described as a Hispanic man wearing a blue jacket, blue shorts, dark hat and a surgical mask.

There was no word on whether the victim knew the gunman prior to the incident.

Metro says it will provide surveillance video from its train cars and platforms to help police in their investigation.

Crime is up this year, according to Los Angeles Magazine.

There were more than 350 murders in L.A. last year, a 38% increase from 2019. So far this year, police say the number of people shot was up 50% and the city is on track to record 437 murders this year, the most since 2006.

Anyone with information is asked to call Homicide Investigators at 213-382-9470. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.