Shootout at the Pier

By Anne La Jeunesse

The sound of gunfire stunned Saturday night visitors to the Santa Monica Pier, as one person fired on five others during an apparent fight.

According to police, a fight involving "at least" six people erupted about 11:05 p.m. on the pier.

During the fight, one of those involved pulled out a handgun and fired several shots, striking five people, according to Sgt. P.J. Guido.

Four of the wounded were taken to local hospitals, where they were treated for their injuries, Guido said. Three of those people were released after treatment and one was admitted for a wound not believed to be life-threatening, he said.

A fifth person was treated at the pier for superficial wounds and released, Guido said.

No suspects are in custody, but police are continuing their investigation.

Police did not identify the wounded or suspect by age or gender, and did not say if they believe the incident was gang related.

The shooting comes just over a week after gunfire broke out at a local funeral home during a wake for a woman who had been killed in a traffic accident. That shooting occurred when a fight broke out as people were exiting Gages Kingsley Gates Funeral Home, and one man ran to his car, retrieved a gun and fired one shot, wounding no one.

Several suspects were detained and a loaded magazine were found at the scene, but no arrests were made in that shooting.