Investigators say witnesses flagged down a passing patrol car around 6 p.m. after seeing the victim tumble out of the suspect's car in the southbound lanes of the freeway between Eighth and Ninth streets.
"There were several vehicles stopped, the traffic was stop-and-go at the time, and the victim was lying in the fast lane, the No. 1 lane and the No. 2 lane, and that's where everything happened in fast lane of the freeway," said LAPD Sgt. Ricardo Acosta.
The man was shot twice in the head and neck was rushed to the hospital in grave condition.
The suspect's vehicle took off after the man was dumped. The car is described as a brown or burgundy compact car, possibly a Camry, with a shattered back window.
The CHP shut down the freeway as officers canvassed the scene for evidence. It was earlier believed that the man was shot on the freeway, but investigators have not confirmed that.
"We didn't find any casings yet or any other evidence to show or to let us know where the victim was shot, we just know that the victim has gunshot wounds. We can't confirm whether he was shot in the vehicle or in another place and dumped here," Acosta said.
Investigators say that the shooting may be gang-related. Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD at 1-877-LAPD-24-7.
