DOWNEY, Calif. — Five people were shot and at least three of them died Wednesday in attacks at a business and residence in a Los Angeles suburb.
The shootings occurred shortly after 11 a.m. at a business called United States Fire Protection and at a nearby home, where family members of the owner live, said Downey police Lt. Dean Milligan.
A woman was found dead at the home, he said. Three people were taken to area hospitals, where one victim later died. The other two victims' conditions were not immediately known.
Milligan said police were looking for a gunman who apparently escaped in a black Camaro.
United States Fire Protection Services is in an industrial area of Downey across from a bottling plant. The family owned business sells professional firefighting gear and equipment such as hoses, valves and extinguishers, according to its website.
Blanca Parker, who works next door, said the owners were very friendly.
“They were hard working,” Parker said. “They worked seven days a week, 24-7.”
Parker added the owners made security a top priority, even though the area was considered safe.
“Every time we have gone in there it is locked. Sometimes you don’t even know they are there,” she said. “You always have to knock beforehand.”
Downey is about 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles.