Man dies of gunshot wound near crashed, stolen car in Tarzana; 2 people seen running away

A man suffering from at least one gunshot wound was found dead near a stolen car that crashed Thursday afternoon into a wall at a Tarzana apartment complex, authorities said.

Witnesses told police they heard gunshots and the sound of a collision about 2:15 p.m., then saw a man and a woman running from the small car, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

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The crash occurred at a condominium complex in the 18600 block of Hatteras Street, where police found the man lying down on the pavement, the LAPD said.

“We have not confirmed the victim’s identity yet, but we believe he lived at the complex,� Capt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the West Valley Patrol Division, said in a statement. “The parking lot has a security gate on both ends, which would tend to restrict persons who don’t belong there.�

Investigators are unsure if the man was fatally shot in the vehicle or while standing outside, Vernon said.

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Police asked members of the public who know about the killing to contact Det. Robert Dinlocker at (213) 361-7961.

Thursday’s killing was the second time this week police were dispatched to a car crash and found a person suffering fatal wounds.

On Tuesday, police in Boyle Heights found that a man who crashed his car into a tree near Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center had been stabbed. The man died at the hospital.

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna.

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