Torrance police investigating shooting of man in car set ablaze

Torrance police are investigating the shooting of a man who was one of five occupants in a car destroyed by fire, authorities said.

Police responded to a call of shots fired in the 3700 block of Artesia Boulevard in Torrance at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, authorities said.

A short time later police received another call of a car on fire and possibly two gunshot victims about a mile away at 173rd Street and Inglewood Avenue, said Sgt. Paul Kranke said.

“The vehicle was completely engulfed,� Kranke said.

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The five occupants in the car — three males and two females — had exited the vehicle by the time police arrived, Kranke said. One of the occupants, an unidentified 24-year-old Los Angeles man, had “suffered a gunshot wound to the chest area,� he said.

The victim is in stable condition and is expected to recover. A second victim sustained minor injuries from glass shards, Kranke said. The other three people in the car were uninjured.

Witnesses and victims have been uncooperative with police, Kranke said, so it remains unclear how the fire started or how the shooting unfolded.

Police recovered bullet casings in the area and for several hours shut down Artesia Boulevard between Prairie and Ainsworth avenues while investigators gathered evidence from the scene.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call Torrance police detectives at (310) 618- 5570. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.

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