Full Notification

Two Shot at Little Tokyo Nightclub

Los Angeles. Two men were shot by a masked gunman as they stood in front of The Vault XXI, a boutique lounge club in Little Tokyo, early this morning, July 23, 2011. Both men are in critical condition after being stabilized in surgery.

“We’re lucky more people were not injured in this attack,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Central Detective Division. “It appears the victims were targeted by the suspect as they stood at the entrance to the nightclub.”

Around 1:30 AM, witnesses described a man, wearing a ski mask, walk into the courtyard from the sidewalk on Alameda Street and start shooting after he barked out a short phrase. Two men in their mid-twenties who were smoking at the entrance to the nightclub were the apparent targets. Both fell from multiple gunshot wounds and crawled into the nightclub’s entrance.

The shooter ran back to Alameda Street, then north toward 3rd Street. Witnesses described him as wearing a beige hat, similar to the popular mini fedoras, a dark flannel shirt and jeans.

Detectives processed the scene and noted more than a half dozen shell casings from a semi-automatic handgun.

The nightclub is located at 333 South Alameda Street and is patronized primarily by young Asians. Both victims were Asian, and detectives believe the suspect may be Asian also, though his ethnicity was not apparent because of the ski mask.

“There’s a number of people out there who do know who did this,” Lt. Vernon said. “We’d hope they would come forward right away.”

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Al Marengo, Central Homicide Unit, at (213) 972-1249. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

# # # # #