By Daily Press staff
A man was shot in the leg Monday night here during a drive-by shooting.
The victim, who refused to give Santa Monica Police detectives any information regarding the incident, was taken to a local hospital and later released. The shooting occurred at 9:20 p.m. in the 1800 block of 17th Street, a common place for gunfire, gang activity and drug dealing.
“He is not giving away any information regarding the suspects,” said SMPD Lt. P.J. Guido, adding the investigation is ongoing and it’s unknown whether the shooting was gang related. “We can’t rule it out because the victim is uncooperative.”
The victim has had numerous contacts with local police in the past, but Guido couldn’t elaborate on the circumstances.
The shooting occurred in front of a low-income housing project, operated by Community Corp. of Santa Monica, where other crimes have been committed in the past.
Witnesses described a white vehicle, possibly a Nissan or Toyota, leaving the area shortly after the shooting.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call the SMPD robbery/homicide unit at (310) 458-8451. Callers who wish to remain anonymous also may call the We-Tip national hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 5, 2004. Read the original PDF.