Police are searching for three men who are responsible for a homicide and the stabbing of two other victims that occurred on Aug. 15 at a restaurant and nightclub near Western and Melrose avenues.

A victim was shot and killed and two men were stabbed during a fight on Aug. 15 at the Little San Salvador restaurant on Western Avenue. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Police received 911 calls at approximately 12:30 a.m. about a shooting in front of the Little San Salvador Restaurant at 901 N. Western Ave. A fight occurred between two groups inside the business, said Det. Steven Katz, with the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Bureau Homicide Unit.

“A suspect confronted the victims as to their gang affiliation, and a fight escalated into a stabbing and shooting,” Katz said. “One suspect was stabbed inside the club. The fight escalated and one victim was stabbed and one victim was shot outside the club.”

Katz said all three victims were taken by paramedics to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where the unidentified 38-year-old victim who was shot was pronounced dead. The other victims, described as being 20 and 34 years old, are recovering.

The suspects are described as Hispanic men. They fled southbound on Western Avenue in an older model, four-door sedan. Katz said the restaurant is not known as a problematic location, and the violence appears to be an isolated incident.

“In speaking with personnel at the Hollywood Division, there were no issues,” Katz added. “Apparently there was security. We are in the process of gathering surveillance camera footage and interviewing witnesses.”

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact detectives with the West Bureau Homicide Unit at (213)382-9470.