Gardena, Lynwood shooting suspect sought after killing 2, wounding others, officials say

GARDENA, Calif. (KABC) -- A manhunt is underway for a suspect accused of killing two people and wounding others in Gardena and near a freeway in Lynwood on Tuesday, according to Los Angeles County sheriff's officials.

The shooting in Gardena happened about 4 a.m. at a party in the 1200 block of West 135th Street. Authorities said the suspect and victims were all friends and some were members of the same gang.

Sheriff's investigators said an argument led to a man shooting three of his friends, one of whom may be an ex-girlfriend.

A woman died at the scene and two others, a 23-year-old pregnant woman and a man, were shot and transported in critical condition.

A man was also found shot to death about an hour later on the southbound 710 Freeway at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Upon investigation, sheriff's officials said the Gardena shooting suspect forced a couple, whom he also knew, to drive him away from the Gardena area.

Once they got to the on-ramp, the suspect forced the couple out of the car and fatally shot the man who was a childhood friend, officials said. The suspect also allegedly tried to kill the man's wife but the gun malfunctioned and wouldn't fire.

The suspect stole the couple's black Kia Soul and has not been found, according to investigators.

The suspect's identity has not been released by investigators but officials said he should be considered armed and dangerous. Police believe he may have been under the influence of drugs during the shooting.