Lockdowns were lifted at two South Los Angeles schools Thursday afternoon after a gunshot victim was found on the perimeter of each campus, officials said.
Authorities received a call just before 2 p.m. about shots heard near Santee Education Complex, located at 1921 S. Maple Ave., according to Los Angeles Police Department Officer Tony Im. The shooting occurred in front of the school, adjacent to the football field, LAPD said.
An officer on patrol in the area responded to the scene and found a male student on the ground, suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg, LAPD said. The officer was able to stabilize the victim by applying first aid to the wound until paramedics arrived.
A lockdown was ordered at the high school, the Los Angeles School Police Department said, and the gunshot victim was taken to a local hospital.
Soon after, while authorities were still investigating that shooting, a second shooting occurred in front of Maple Primary Center, located at 3601 Maple Ave. — approximately 1 mile south of the high school, police said.
Officers responded and found a man suffering from a graze gunshot wound, according to LAPD. He was also taken to a local hospital for treatment, and the kindergarten was placed on lockdown.
It is unknown if the two shootings are related, LAPD said in an afternoon update, and the suspect remains at large.
The lockdowns in place at both schools were lifted around 3 p.m., according to L.A. School Police.
The suspected shooter was described as a Hispanic male with short tapered hair, tattoos on either his left or right arm, and he was seen wearing dark blue clothes and green shoes. Police earlier said he was seen with a light blue bike but later said he had a black sedan.
The investigation is ongoing. No further details were immediately available.
Anyone who may have information on either incident is asked to notify L.A. School Police detectives at 213-625-6631 or the LAPD Newton Division.
