One dead, 3 injured in parking lot shooting outside Trader Joe’s in Los Angeles

One person was killed and three others injured in a shooting in the parking lot of a Trader Joe’s grocery store in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon in what may have been a drug smuggling operation, authorities said. Several suspects are in custody.

The shooting happened around 3:45 p.m. local time in the West Hills neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley, according to the LAPD.

“Our preliminary investigation has determined that the dispute centered on a narcotics transaction in the area,” LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said at a Saturday night press conference, according to CBS Los Angeles. “During this argument, several suspects produced firearms and shot each other.”

One person was pronounced dead at the scene, Hamilton said. The victim’s name was not immediately released.

Two firearms were also recovered from the scene of the shooting, Hamilton said.

Following the shooting, one of the suspects attempted to flee in a vehicle, prompting a police pursuit. During that pursuit, the suspect was involved in a hit and run with another vehicle in which an innocent person was injured, Hamilton said. The suspect then changed vehicles and the pursuit continued.

That second vehicle was eventually pulled over and two people — the suspect and a female driver — were arrested, Hamilton said.

The hit and run victim’s injuries were not considered life-threatening, Hamilton said.

Saturday evening, two people remained hospitalized, and three others were in custody. There are not believed to be any outstanding suspects, Hamilton said. The cause and circumstances of the shooting are under investigation.