Man Wounded in Drive-by Shooting

By Jorge Casuso

A 19-year-old man was wounded in the Pico Neighborhood Tuesday night when a gunman allegedly opened fire from a passing car, Santa Monica Police said.

The drive-by shooting occurred at 10:35 p.m. in the 2000 block of 21st street. The victim - identified as a male Hispanic - drove himself to the hospital ,where he was treated for two leg wounds and released.

"He was seated on a fence in front of a house talking with his girlfriend," said Lt. Gary Gallinot, the police department's spokesman. "They were having an argument when all of a sudden he heard several shots. He was struck twice in the right leg.

"There was nothing said before the shots," Gallinot said. "Neither the victim nor his girlfriend even saw the car drive up. They didn't see anything, hear anything. They just saw the car drive away."

The victim's girlfriend, a 22-year-old Hispanic from Granada Hills, identified the suspects as two male Hispanics driving what looked like a dark-colored Buick Regal. She was not injured.

Police suspect the shooting may have been gang related.