SAN PEDRO, Calif. – A man was in custody Wednesday in a shooting at Royal Palms Beach in San Pedro that left five men injured and prompted the implementation of restricted hours at the seaside location.
The shooting occurred around 5:45 p.m. on March 4 at Paseo Del Mar and Graysby Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Jose Ortega, 22, was arrested five days later in Orange County, and was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and other crimes, the LAPD reported. Ortega was being held without bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities held a Wednesday morning news conference to announce the arrest.
According to the LAPD, several groups of people were gathered at the beach, when two of the groups became involved in a “verbal and physical altercation that ultimately led to a shooting where five individuals were struck by gunfire.”
All five victims were taken to hospitals, although three were released by the following day. The status of the other two victims was not immediately available.
Following the shooting, it was announced that the beach would close at 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays until further notice. The beach will continue to close at dusk Mondays through Thursdays, and all closing times also apply to the beach parking lot, the officials said.
Both officials said there have been previous concerning altercations at the beach.
The shooting tragically occurred just hours after a police gun-buyback event in the San Pedro area.
