Deputies search for man who injured 3 in shooting at Lakewood mall

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is continuing its investigation into a shooting in the Lakewood Center mall parking lot that left three people -- at least two of them bystanders -- injured.

The incident was reported around 8:50 p.m. Tuesday at 4909 Lakewood Blvd., according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Department.

Witnesses told investigators that a man driving a blue, mid-2000s Volkswagen Beetle convertible pulled up next to a group of men and began arguing with them.

While sitting in his car the man pulled a 9-mm caliber handgun and fired five to six rounds at the group, according to the statement.

Gunfire struck two sisters who were walking back to their parked car.

The women were taken to a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators later learned a third victim had been admitted to a hospital. The victim, an unidentified male, was struck in the left arm by the gunfire.

The victim told investigators that the gunman had fled in his vehicle south in the parking lot toward Del Almo Boulevard after the shooting.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Operation Safe Streets Bureau are investigating the shooting.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at (323) 267-4800. Anonymous tips can be made at Crime Stoppers (800) 222-8477.