Two children under 10 killed in Pico-Union shooting, suspect shoots himself

Two young children were fatally shot in Los Angeles' Pico-Union neighbourhood on Sunday. The male suspect turned the gun on himself and is now in hospital under police custody.

Two children fatally shot near Venice Boulevard and Catalina Street

Two children under the age of 10 were killed in a shooting in the Pico-Union neighbourhood of Los Angeles on Sunday, abc7.com reports, citing the Los Angeles Police Department.

The incident took place just before 1 p.m. near Venice Boulevard and Catalina Street. According to investigators, a man shot a 10-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy before turning the weapon on himself.

Both children were rushed to hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The gunman — described as a Hispanic male between 30 and 40 years old — is in police custody and receiving medical treatment at a hospital. His condition was not immediately disclosed.

LAPD confirmed that no additional suspects were being sought and that there was no ongoing threat to the community.

Video captured through the Citizen App showed the chaotic scene that unfolded in the aftermath. One witness said: "Oh my God, I was on the bus when it happened." Another added: "He shot himself in the head."

Residents in the area were visibly shaken. "I'm really, really sad for them. I have family too. I don't want anything bad to happen to them," one community member said.

The relationship between the suspect and the two children has not been established. Multiple LAPD and Los Angeles Fire Department vehicles were deployed to the scene, which was cordoned off with yellow police tape.

The motive for the shooting remains under investigation.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)