(July 30, 2005) -- A man was shot to death today (July 30) in the area of Pine Ave/3d St. when a 2:45 a.m. fight escalated into a shooting.

LBPD says its preliminary investigation indicates the victim and three male suspects exchanged words, evidently over negative comments directed at the victim’s female friend, just prior to the shooting.

The victim was chased by at least two of the three suspects into an alley, after which a single gunshot was heard. The victim was found lying in the alley with a gunshot wound to the upper torso.

LB paramedics, who were in the vicinity at the time on an unrelated matter, provided emergency medical treatment to the victim who was pronounced dead at the scene.

One suspect, identified by witnesses as one of the suspects who fled the scene, was taken into custody by LBPD without incident.

The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of family.

LBPD asks anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has any information regarding this incident to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives, Richard Birdsall or Dave Rios at (562) 570-7244