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An Uber driver was shot in Venice after his passengers were targeted in a gang shooting.
Around 3:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Fire Department paramedics were called to the scene of a shooting near Lucille and Louella avenues. Another car pulled up next to the Uber car and opened fire. Although the driver was hit with gunfire, police say he was not the person the shooters were going after. "Those two in the back seat were victims-slash-suspects," LAPD officer Mike Lopez told L.A. Weekly. "The two were intended targets."
KTLA reports that the two passengers were also armed, and police are looking into the possibility that they may have shot back. The passengers were detained by police for carrying guns, but it is unclear if they are being charged with a crime. Police are also investigating the possibility that this shooting was a gang retaliation.
Neither passengers were injured in the shooting, and the driver was taken to the hospital and was last reported in stable condition.
Police say the car the gunmen pulled up in was a newer-model gold Kia with dealer plates.
Update: Uber released a statement to LAist through spokeswoman Kayla Whaling: "Our thoughts are with our partner-driver as he recovers and we are thankful that he is doing ok. We will cooperate with local law enforcement on any requests for information that would be helpful to their investigation."
