1 dead, 2 others shot at El Monte sports bar; suspect on the loose

Police are searching for a suspect connected to a deadly shooting at a sports bar in El Monte.

According to preliminary information released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the shooting was reported at approximately 12:09 a.m. Saturday in the 10700 block of Lower Azusa Road.

“El Monte Police Officers responded to the location regarding a shots fired call,” LASD stated in an update released just before 7 a.m. Saturday . “Upon arrival, officers were flagged down and directed inside of the [sports bar] … and found the victim lying on the ground with apparent gunshot wounds.”

The victim, only identified as a Hispanic man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials also confirmed in their update that a second gunshot victim, a Hispanic woman, was transported to a nearby hospital prior to the arrival of officers. She was said to be in stable condition.

Witnesses told police that another woman was shot but left the scene; as of 7 a.m., investigators were still searching for her.

Video from the scene obtained by KTLA shows a heavy police presence in front of the Silver Dollar Saloon. Officers were seen interviewing witnesses as the area was blocked off due to the investigation.

A pickup truck was seen parked on the sidewalk; however, it was not immediately known if it has anything to do with the shooting investigation.

Silver Dollar Saloon has been open for years and is popular in the community, and many had gathered there to watch the Dodgers win Game 5 of the NLDS against the Padres .

One man who works nearby told KTLA 5’s Kimberly Cheng that while the establishment is “a nice bar,” things can get “pretty wild.”

“There are a lot of bar patrons, and some nights are different than others,” said Ray Charles. “People are going to be people no matter what, and when they start drinking, their problems come out.”

It appears a DJ set was scheduled for after the game at the bar, which closes at 2 a.m.

Lower Azusa Road was closed between El Monte and Daleview avenues during the investigation.

Anyone with information surrounding the shooting is asked to contact the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau by calling 323-890-5500.

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