A late-evening ambush at a crowded fast-food counter left one man dead and three other customers hospitalized Sunday in Manchester Square.
At a Glance
- A 36-year-old man was shot and killed inside Louisiana Fried Chicken on Manchester Avenue
- Three additional victims were taken to hospital in stable condition
- Two suspects arrived on foot, opened fire, then fled westbound in a vehicle
- No arrests have been made; LAPD homicide detectives are canvassing the area for witnesses and surveillance footage
- Why it matters: The brazen attack at a busy neighborhood restaurant raises fresh concerns about public safety and the ease with which gunmen can strike even during peak dinner hours
Jonathan P. Miller reported that the shooting was first reported to police at 6:44 p.m. Officers arrived to find four victims inside the Louisiana Fried Chicken restaurant located along Manchester Avenue. According to investigators, the victims had been simply waiting for their food orders when the violence erupted.
How the Attack Unfolded
Surveillance footage reviewed by detectives shows two male suspects approaching the restaurant on foot. Without warning, both men began shooting through the front entrance, sending customers and employees scrambling for cover. The entire incident lasted only seconds, but the damage was immediate.
One victim, identified only as a 36-year-old man, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by responding paramedics. The three other victims-all adults-were transported to a nearby trauma center and are listed in stable condition. Their identities have not been released.
Suspects Still at Large
The shooters fled the scene westbound in what witnesses described as a dark-colored sedan. Police have not released a detailed description of the suspects or the vehicle, citing the early stage of the investigation. No motive has been established, and detectives have not determined whether the attack was targeted or random.
LAPD spokesman Officer Drake Madison confirmed that no arrests have been made. Homicide detectives are canvassing surrounding businesses for additional camera angles and are urging anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward.
Community Reaction
The shooting stunned residents who frequent the strip mall that houses the Louisiana Fried Chicken franchise. Regular customer Lisa Hernandez told News Of Losangeles she had stopped by for dinner just minutes before the gunfire erupted.
“I literally left with my kids two minutes before it happened,” Hernandez said. “We heard the shots from the parking lot and ran back inside another store. It’s terrifying to think we could have been in there.”
Local community advocate Marcus Thompson said the incident highlights ongoing safety concerns along the busy commercial corridor.
“We’ve been asking for better lighting, more patrols, and cameras for months,” Thompson said. “Now we have a man dead and three others hurt because people feel emboldened to shoot up a restaurant at dinner time.”
Investigation Status
Detectives have recovered shell casings from inside the restaurant and are analyzing ballistic evidence to determine how many shots were fired. They are also working to obtain clearer surveillance footage that may show the suspects’ faces or the vehicle’s license plate.
Police have asked anyone with information to contact LAPD’s South Bureau Homicide Division. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Restaurant Response
Louisiana Fried Chicken corporate offices did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The location remained closed Monday morning as crime-scene tape still fluttered near the front door. A handwritten sign taped to the window read: “Closed due to emergency. We will reopen soon.”
Employees who were inside during the shooting declined to speak on camera, citing fear of retaliation. One worker, who asked not to be named, said the restaurant had never experienced violence of this magnitude in its decade of operation at the site.
Broader Context
The Manchester Square neighborhood has seen a slight uptick in violent crime over the past year, according to LAPD Compstat data. Sunday’s homicide marks the fifth shooting within a half-mile radius since January, though prior incidents involved targeted street-level disputes rather than attacks on random patrons.
City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, whose district includes the area, released a statement Monday calling for increased community investment and mental-health resources.
“Every shooting is a tragedy, but when innocent people can’t even wait for food without fear of being shot, we must act,” Harris-Dawson said.
Key Takeaways
- The shooting occurred at 6:44 p.m. Sunday inside Louisiana Fried Chicken on Manchester Avenue
- A 36-year-old man was killed; three others hospitalized in stable condition
- Two suspects arrived on foot, fired multiple rounds, then fled westbound in a vehicle
- No arrests have been made; LAPD urges witnesses to contact South Bureau Homicide
- The restaurant remains closed as detectives continue gathering evidence
Anyone with information is asked to call 323-786-5100 or submit anonymous tips via the Crime Stoppers hotline.
