Party Bus That Was Shot At Had Been to Gang Party: Police

Three bus riders and a driver were hurt when someone fired shots at the party bus they were on Sunday

Police Monday were searching for the people responsible for a shooting that wounded four people on a party bus that had been to a gang celebration, police said.

The shooting happened about 11 p.m. Sunday at 83rd Street and Broadway, police said. There were about 50 people on board when the shooting happened.

Three people were described as in serious condition. The driver suffered cuts to his face and eyes, police said.

It was unclear where the bus was headed, but the bus driver drove to LAPD's 77th Station to get help.

Police said no one is cooperating and the incident is believed to be gang related.

James "Pat" Patterson, a longtime security guard for a liquor store, said in the past few months he's noticed more violent crime being committed in the neighborhood.

Had he been here Sunday night, he would have noticed a party bus filled with at least 50 people picking up drinks at the liquor store.

It was shortly after that pit stop that police believe two gunmen shot multiple rounds at the bus.

The party was coming from a celebration among gang members, Lt. Paul Wilson, of the LAPD's Southeast Division, said.

They "were celebrating what we call a ''Hood Day,'" Wilson said. "These are days that they may celebrate various things -- birth, death, shootings -- whatever.

The violence has been non-stop for detectives in South LA, where five people have been shot and killed since last Sunday.

While police say gang activity and crime is down in the area, some community leaders are concerned.

"It's not helpful to tell us the crime data," Marqueece Harris-Dawson, of the Community Coalition, said. "What's helpful is is you tell us what the strategy is going to be."

Community leaders fear the uptick in violence could become a trend.

Patterson, a South LA resident, said he's concerned because he has grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"They're not a part of it, but I don't want them to become innocent victims."

City News Service contributed to this report.
 

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