Odd that you mention shootings...
A shooting just occurred this morning in Hollywood; a guy went on a rampage of some sort; started just at the end of the block where I live, worked his way about 3 block north down to the intersection of Sunset Blvd. & Vine St. (a very, very busy intersection), produced a gun and started firing, first into the air, then randomly at passersby and vehicles. He hit two vehicles, breaking a window on one car and injuring the driver with shattered glass; the second car's driver was hit in the head or neck and was taken to the hospital in critcal condition. The shooter ran out of ammo and started to attack cars by hitting them with the gun. An off duty LAPD officer, who was moonlighting as security on a nearby movie location set, ran to the scene and order the shooter to put down the weapon. The shooter insted produced a knife and the officer shoot and killed the shooter. Luckily for the people running for cover during the initial shooting, the shooter was a very bad aim. Just another day in L.A. ...
@ Sailor Steve: Fortunately, you'll be rather a good distance from the L.A. maddnes; Long Beach has really become a good city to visit and live in and Redondo Beach is one of the better coastal cities, kind of small townish. Hope you enjoy your stay here in the Southland...
