Los Angeles police said the shooting happened near La Fayette Park Place and Beverly Boulevard at about 2:15 p.m.
When crews arrived at the scene, they found a man on the ground near an SUV. The man, who was in his early 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
LAPD said they believed the victim was approached by three suspects when he was shot. Detectives said they believed the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle.
One witness said he saw the victim running before he was shot. Officials did not have a suspect description.
Investigators said they were looking to review surveillance video in the area to collect more evidence.
La Fayette Park Place was closed between Beverly Boulevard and West 3rd Street as detectives investigated the crime scene.