Two men were shot late Saturday night in the parking lot of Eddie’s Liquor at Pico Boulevard and 20th Street in what police believe to be a gang-related incident. Both victims are being treated at area hospitals and are in critical condition. No arrests have been made as of late Sunday afternoon.
At approximately 12:10 a.m. in the wee hours of Sunday, August 12, Santa Monica Police received a call reporting possible shots fired at the Pico and 20th location. At approximately 12:18 a.m. a call came in from St. Johns Hospital in Santa Monica that two gunshot victims had been brought into the emergency room.
Preliminary investigation confirmed that the two calls related to the same event, and further revealed that the two victims were in the liquor store parking lot when an unknown suspect or suspects fired several gunshots at the victims striking them both. No suspect description is available at this time. The victims were both in surgery.
“The investigation is ongoing,” said police spokesman Lt. Alex Padilla. He also told the Mirror that the department has beefed up patrols and assigned additional officers in the Pico neighborhood and surrounding area. “We have contacted stakeholders and community members to encourage people to work with law enforcement and identify the suspect or suspects,” he added.
Anyone having any information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Santa Monica Police Department Robbery/Homicide Division at 310.458.8451.
