Car-to-car gunfight in Compton ends in crash, 1 dead in South Los Angeles

COMPTON, Calif. (KABC) -- A moving gun battle in the Compton area ended in a car crash and one theft suspect dead, authorities say.

The incident started around 8:20 a.m. with a car-to-car gunfight that apparently stretched between East Rancho Dominguez and Compton.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said one of the vehicles involved was a white Ford Mustang investigators believe was stolen from a tow yard in Compton.

"Carson deputies responded to this tow yard regarding a stolen car report and it was later determined the person who stole it was involved in a shooting," said LASD Homicide Lt. Mike Modica.

Investigators weren't able to confirm if the gun battle also took place at the tow yard, but they did confirm the shooting. They have not said who the discharged the firearm or if that person was trying to shoot at someone.

Eventually, the vehicle ended up about six miles north, crashing into another car in South Los Angeles. The person in that car apparently got out but died at the scene just feet away from the vehicle.

Another person was transported to a local hospital in unknown condition. Authorities are investigating how the incident unfolded.

A long stretch of Wilmington Avenue was shut down as investigators looked for bullet casings and other evidence.

According to data from the Los Angeles Police Department, homicides have gone down when comparing 2021 to last year, but on average, homicides rose about 33% compared to three years before.