LOS ANGELES, CA – Two children were shot and killed and a man was hospitalized with self-inflicted gunshot wounds Sunday afternoon in the Pico-Union area of Los Angeles, in what police described as an apparent attempted murder-suicide, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The shooting was reported at 12:49 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, near the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Catalina Street. LAPD Media Relations Division Officer Jason Lee confirmed that three people had been shot.
The children were 10 and 4 years old. The man is in police custody.
Shooting reported shortly before 1 p.m.
Lee confirmed the call for a shooting at Venice Boulevard and Catalina Street at 12:49 p.m. Officers went to the location, and Los Angeles Fire Department personnel also responded, according to initial reports.
The LAPD said all three people who were shot were taken to local hospitals. The department has not released which hospitals received them.
Children pronounced dead
LAPD Public Information Officer Tony Im said at the scene that the two children were pronounced dead. They were the 10-year-old and the 4-year-old.
The names of the children had not been released. Authorities do not publicly identify minors who are victims of a crime.
Man remains in custody
Police described the man as Hispanic and between 30 and 40 years old. He suffered gunshot wounds that police said he inflicted on himself.
The LAPD said he remains in custody while he is treated at a hospital. His condition was not disclosed, and no name was released.
The man is believed to be the children’s father, according to initial reports.
Police describe apparent attempted murder-suicide
Im characterized the case as an apparent attempted murder-suicide. He said the children were shot and the adult man injured himself.
Police said the motive remains under investigation. Charges have not been announced, and the description of the case reflects the preliminary account given by the LAPD, not the outcome of the investigation.
No other suspects sought
The LAPD said in statements to reporters Sunday that no additional suspects were being sought. The department also said there was no ongoing threat to the community.
The shooting happened in the early afternoon, and the department said the three people shot were the only ones known to be hurt.
County lists domestic violence resources
The County of Los Angeles lists support services on its Domestic Violence Awareness Month page. The page says that for 24/7 support, people can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 (800) 799 SAFE (7233).
The page also lists the LA County Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 978-3600. It says the county has an Office of Violence Prevention, a Domestic Violence Council and the CareConnect shelter-access program.
Investigation remains active
The LAPD had not released the names of the children or the man, and no charges had been announced as of Sunday evening. The man was still hospitalized in police custody.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.
