LAPD and Metro Police were seen investigating shortly after reports of a woman firing a gun into the air near LACMA. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating reports of a woman firing a gun into the air outside LACMA on Dec. 4. The incident prompted a temporary lockdown at the museum and an early closure of its galleries.

The LAPD received multiple calls at approximately 3 p.m. reporting possible shots fired near Wilshire Boulevard and Ogden Drive, LAPD spokesman Kevin Terzes said.

Callers stated that a woman fired a gun into the air after exiting a Metro bus and was seen running away.

According to the LAPD, an investigation revealed that the suspect and an unidentified man were both passengers on the bus when they became engaged in a verbal dispute that escalated into a physical fight. When the bus stopped at Wilshire Boulevard and Ogden Drive, both people exited the bus and the suspect pulled a 9 mm handgun from her purse and aimed it at the man. When she attempted to fire it, the gun jammed. The suspect then fired another shot at the man that missed before firing a last shot into the air.

No injuries were reported. The unidentified man also left the scene and was not located.

“One possible suspect was observed and detained but was question and released,” Terzes said.

At approximately 4 p.m., LAPD and Metro Police were investigating the scene. Authorities had taped off a portion of Wilshire Boulevard where a bus had stopped.

LACMA was temporarily placed on lockdown after it was reported to LAPD that the suspect had entered the museum. However, officers on the scene confirmed that the suspect did not enter the museum, and the lockdown was lifted.

“Following an incident yesterday afternoon on Wilshire Boulevard, LAPD quickly responded and LACMA entered a temporary lockdown,” a statement from the museum read. “LAPD confirmed the area was secure and the lockdown ended. The museum’s galleries remained closed for the rest of the day.”

An LAPD investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to call detectives at the LAPD’s Wilshire Division at (213)922-8205 and (213)473-0476.