Fatal shooting in West Hills may have stemmed from drug deal, police say

WEST HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- One person was killed and three others were injured during a shooting in West Hills Saturday afternoon that police believe may have stemmed from a dispute during a drug deal.

It happened just before 4 p.m. at a shopping center near Fallbrook Avenue and Vanowen Street.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, during the dispute, "multiple suspects produced firearms and fired at each other" in the parking lot.

"We believe that all of the people involved in this dispute have been identified and we believe we have them in custody or we have them where we can provide them medical care," said LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton during an evening news conference.

A suspect who fled the scene was involved in a hit-and-run crash that injured one innocent person and the suspect then switched vehicles and continued to flee, Hamilton said. A police helicopter was overhead directing ground units to the fleeing suspect. The officer inside witnessed the crash and watched the suspect change vehicles.

The suspect led police on a brief pursuit before finally surrendering near Owensmouth Avenue and Saticoy Street.

Hamilton said a female driver and the man who fled the scene were both taken into custody. The person injured in the hit-and-run was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Two firearms were recovered at the scene, according to police. Hamilton said investigators believe the incident is gang-related.

Authorities confirmed the person killed was a 45-year-old man, though he has not been officially identified.

Video obtained by Eyewitness News showed several ambulances and police vehicles blocking off the parking lot.

Witnesses recalled hearing sudden gunfire and people screaming, asking for someone to call 911. Some believe it was a drive-by shooting.

"We heard multiple gunshots all at once and I think there was one after and we heard screaming and we kind of just ran away because we didn't want to be a part of it," said witness Tiffany Rose.

Another witness said it took him a minute to realize a shooting was unfolding.

"I had just gotten out of the theater, I was in my car and then I just heard a couple of pops," said witness Adam Strickland. "It didn't even register to me that they were gunshots until after I saw people running away in my rearview. Then I saw the guy wandering in my view. I saw he kind of went down, I got in my car and I heard someone yell, 'Call 911!'"

Police confirmed there is no threat to the West Hills community. The parking lot remained blocked off Saturday evening as police continued its investigation.

City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.