A U.S. Marine was hospitalized after being shot outside a 7-Eleven in Monterey Park early Monday morning, and now police are looking for the shooter, officials said.
Police responding to reports of a shooting in the 200 block of West Pomona Boulevard about 2:45 a.m. found a man suffering from a gunshot wound, according to the Monterey Park Police Department.
The confrontation began when the victim and a friend arrived at the 7-Eleven and were contacted by a suspect who was standing in the parking lot.
After words were exchanged, the suspect pulled out a gun and fired at the victim, striking him in the abdomen, police said.
The victim was transported to the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center. He is expected to survive.
Both the victim and his friend were active-duty Marines based in Camp Pendleton, according to Lt. Bill Cuevas with the Monterey Police Department.
No other injuries occurred during the incident.
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Witnesses and the victim told police the suspect was a male Hispanic in his 20s wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. The weapon used was described as a dark-colored handgun.
The suspect was last seen fleeing the parking lot on a bicycle, police said.
Police believe this may have been a random shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Monterey Park Police Department detectives at 626-307-1246. Anonymous tips can be made at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
