Three Partygoers Wounded in Gang Violence at Four Points Hotel

Even as officers were trying to restore order, police said that a tall, slender black man, 6 foot 4, 160 pounds, about 18 years old, wearing a black Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap, drew out a handgun and demanded the cell phone of a partygoer. Police spokesman Lt. Dean Williams said this afternoon it as not surprising that no arrests were made at the scene. “Dozens of people should have seen what happened,” he said. “Bu the shooters can just blend into the crowd.If possible, we will make arrests at the scene. But that is not always the first priority. It’s easy for this kind of situation to quickly get out of hand. In a melee like this, everybody’s safety becomes the priority. And then it’s hard to tell who the suspects are.” Police came away emptyhanded, unable to make arrests, although sources said that leads exist. Obviously, said officers, numerous partygoers saw the shootings. Whether out of intimidation or a sense of gang loyalty, the witnesses clammed up. All but one.

Postscript

Police described the suspects as black males of varying sizes, in their late teens and early 20s. Anyone with information should telephone the Police Dept. at 310.837.1221.