Man shot dead in Gardena restaurant

GARDENA, California. – The search is on for the suspect who shot a man at a Gardena restaurant.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, it happened Saturday evening around 8 p.m. at the Salvimex Restaurant in the 18100 block of Vermont Avenue.

Officials said the victim – a man in his 30s – was sitting in the restaurant when the suspect – a man between 35 and 40 years old – who was also in the restaurant, walked up to him and shot him.

The victim died on the spot.

Police have not confirmed the claim that the restaurant also housed an illegal casino.

The suspect drove away from the scene in an unknown vehicle.

It is not known whether the suspect and the victim knew each other.

Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD Harbor Community Police Department at 310-726-7700 or after hours and on weekends at 877-527-3247. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.