Suspect in Maserati shoots 80-year-old man in chest in South Los Angeles

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Authorities are searching for a suspect or suspects who opened fire on an elderly man, striking him in the chest in South Los Angeles Wednesday night.

The suspect or suspects fled in a white Maserati with tinted windows around 8:30 p.m. in the 5700 block of 2nd Avenue. Authorities said the windows made it difficult for the victim to get a suspect description.

Authorities said the suspects opened fire on the 80-year-old victim as he sat in the parking lot of the Van Ness Recreation Center. At least 18 shots were fired.

The victim was rushed to a hospital and into surgery. He is in critical condition, but expected to survive, according to the LAPD.

A witness at the scene said he was sitting in his truck when the gunshots rang out.

"I saw a guy with a gun and with that I just ducked," he said.

His back window and tire were shot out, but he said he knows he is lucky he survived unharmed. Residents in the area said violence is common, but it remains unsettling.

Another witness, Rose Temple, said she was terrified when she heard the barrage of gunfire in her neighborhood.

"I heard a bunch of shots. I mean a whole bunch of shots. Then I got down on the floor under my table. I was scared," she said. "I just pray for safety in my area because I live here."

It was unclear if the shooting was gang related.

The investigation was ongoing.