Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Division are searching for a gunman who fired into a crowd outside a restaurant on La Cienega Boulevard on Feb. 12, injuring four people.
Lt. Dan Gonzalez, with the Wilshire Division, said officers received reports of a shooting around 2:45 a.m. outside the Nice Guy restaurant at 401 N. La Cienega Blvd. Gonzalez said the restaurant had hosted a party for Justin Bieber after the musical artist performed on Feb. 12 at the Pacific Design Center. Police are uncertain whether the gunman or victims of the shooting had been inside the restaurant or had gathered outside, which is under investigation, he said. Gonzalez said it is also unclear if Bieber was inside when the shooting occurred, but he said the “place was packed” with people when officers arrived. Gonzalez said police are also investigating whether the restaurant was in violation of city permits by being open at 2:45 a.m.
The shooting occurred among a crowd of dozens of people near the intersection of La Cienega Boulevard and Westmount Drive. A fight broke out among at least four individuals, including rapper Kodak Black, whose name is Bill Kapri, Gonzalez said. A gunman opened fire on the people who were fighting, striking four people. The victims were taken to hospitals and treated, and are recovering, he added.
Gonzales said Kodak Black was struck in the upper leg by a gunshot. Another man was shot in the buttocks and a third was struck in the back. A man who Gonzalez described as a member of the paparazzi was shot in the ankle. No arrests have been made.
“Most of the people there were uncooperative,” Gonzalez said. “It’s sometimes difficult to get people to come forward in these situations. They don’t want police involved.”
Gonzalez said a rented Ferrari parked outside the restaurant was impounded after officers found a handgun inside the vehicle. Officers determined the gun was a different caliber than the firearm used in the shooting based on shell casings found at the scene. Investigators are in the process of determining who owns the gun, who owns the Ferrari and who rented the vehicle. Gonzalez said the sports car may have been rented online through a private party.
The gunman was only described as being Black. Detectives are searching for video footage of the crime and are asking anyone with information to call Wilshire Division detectives at (213)922-8205. During weekends and off-hours, call the LAPD’s hotline at (877)LAPD247. Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers by calling (800)222-TIPS or texting information to 274637, and by visiting lapdonline.org.
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