LOS ANGELES—A 38-year-old man has been shot to death on a Metro train in Baldwin Hills in the latest fatality on the troubled transit system, and police Saturday were searching for four suspects who fled the scene on foot or possibly on skateboards.
A man later identified as Juan Garcia was involved in an argument with the suspects on the street level of the Metro E (Gold) Line’s La Cienega/Jefferson Station at about 7:40 p.m. Friday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The argument continued onto the train, where one suspect pulled out a gun and shot the man in the head, LAPD Officer Drake Madison told City News Service.
Mr. Garcia died at the scene, authorities said.
The male suspects, who Mr. Madison described as between 15 and 20 years old, fled before police arrived.
The investigation into the shooting caused E Line trains to turn back from the Culver City and La Brea stations, with bus shuttles replacing service between those stations.
It was the latest attack in a recent surge of violent incidents on the L.A. Metro system, including a fatal shooting May 16 on a Metro bus in Commerce, and multiple stabbings on or near Metro stations.
“Violence on the streets that spills over onto our public transit systems is an increasing issue in the Greater Los Angeles area,” Metro said in a statement to local media outlets. “Metro extends its condolences to the family and friends of the victim’s family. The Los Angeles Police Department is leading the investigation.”
The LAPD’s South Homicide Bureau is handling the investigation of the shooting, Mr. Madison said.
In late May, Metro’s Board of Directors unanimously approved two motions to bolster public safety on buses, rails, and stations by deploying more officers and exploring ways to incorporate technology to prevent crimes.
