A car crashed into a Denny’s restaurant in Lakewood early Sunday after the 26-year-old male driver and 16-year-old passenger were shot while being pursued by another vehicle, authorities said.
The crash occurred around 1:50 a.m. at the Denny’s at 2364 East Carson Street when the victims were being pursued southbound on Paramount Boulevard. The driver suffered multiple gunshot wounds and the passenger was also injured, according to Lt. Stonich at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Lakewood station.
The victims, who are from Long Beach, were hospitalized and reported to be stable. The shooting appears to be a random road rage encounter and is not believed to be gang-related.
An employee at the restaurant said she heard the car crash into the back area of the restaurant, breaking through the wall and several windows. She said customers were scared when the passenger approached employees and said they had crashed into the building after being shot at.
It was unclear how much damage the building sustained. The restaurant remained partially open for business Sunday.
No information on a suspect was available.
