Los Angeles police responded to a residential neighborhood at the intersection of 5th and Rose avenues just before 7:30 p.m. after people reported hearing an altercation occurring at an alley.
Firefighters found the victim, a man believed to be in his mid- to late 20s, dead at the scene.
LAPD investigators said the man appeared to have sustained some type of injury, but do not believe a weapon was involved.
Capt. James Setzer said investigators are working toward gathering any possible video evidence and witnesses.
Police were not ready to call the death a homicide, and were waiting for more information from the coroner.
The investigation is ongoing.