UPDATED: Valet killed, security guard wounded in Pico Rivera nightclub shooting

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A valet died and a security guard was wounded early Sunday when a man angered over being kicked out of a Pico Rivera nightclub returned with a gun and opened fire, authorities said.
Three men and two women were arrested in connection with the 2:39 a.m. shooting outside the El Rodeo nightclub, 8825 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles County sheriff’s and coroner’s officials said. Those in custody included the alleged shooter, as well as four others who accompanied him at the time of the shooting.
Paramedics took the wounded valet to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 7:51 a.m., coroner’s Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said. His name was not available pending positive identification and notification of family members, however sheriff’s officials initially described him as being in his mid- to late-20s.
The wounded security guard was hospitalized in stable condition, Lt. John Corina of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said.
Officials described the security guard as a man in his mid- to late-30s.
Shortly before the shooting, “A group of people was kicked out of the club for being disruptive,” Corina said. Some members of the group were believed to be drunk.
The group left, but returned a short time later, nearly 40 minutes after the club’s 2 a.m. closing time, the lieutenant said. But club staff would not allow them back in.
“They got into an argument with the security guard and the valet,” he said.
The alleged shooter retrieved a handgun from his car and opened fire, striking the two men, Corina said. He then began running west along Washington Boulevard.
0923_NWS_SGT-L-PICOSHOOTING2“Luckily, we had some deputies just seconds away,” he said. Club security pointed out the fleeing gunman to the deputies, who caught him after a brief foot chase.
A handgun was found tossed beneath a car in the club’s parking lot, Corina said.
Two men and two women who had been with the shooter were arrested in the parking lot, he added.
The suspects’ names were not initially available.
The shooting took place on the west side of the building and was captured on surveillance video, Corina said. The video was not publicly released.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau are leading the investigation, and anyone with information can reach the bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips can also be given anonymously via the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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