Man shot to death outside The Comedy Store in West Hollywood

WEST HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A man was shot to death outside The Comedy Store in West Hollywood early Wednesday, sheriff's deputies said.

The shooting occurred in the 8400 block of Sunset Boulevard at about 12:49 a.m., about an hour before the venue was set to close.

Lt. Steve Jauch says it appears the victim was standing in the patio with a group of people when he was shot by a suspect in a dark hooded sweatshirt, who apparently walked up to the victim, opened fire and ran off.

Witnesses reported hearing between five to seven gunshots.

The victim, a man in his mid-20s, was shot in the upper torso and transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect was last seen running southbound on N. Olive Drive.

The motive for the shooting remains unknown.

Sunset Boulevard was temporarily closed from N. Kings Road to N. La Cienega Boulevard as sheriff's deputies collected evidence.

The comedy club will remain closed Wednesday night.

Anyone with information was urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.