Bullet Grazes Man's Head in Highland Park Shooting

Police said a man whose head was grazed by a bullet in a Monday afternoon shooting on Echo Street has been released from the hospital with only minor injuries.

According to LAPD Northeast Gang Unit Det. Rick Ortiz, the 20-year-old man was grazed by a bullet that officers believed was fired by a gang members at around 1 p.m. on Monday near the 4900 block of Echo Street.

The kid was pretty lucky," said Ortiz.

According to the police report, the man and another 20-year-old male were sitting on the porch of an apartment building when the two suspects walked by and asked them "where they were from," a question often posed to determine a person's gang affiliation.

The men on the porch responded by saying "nowhere," which prompted the suspects to begin shooting, the police report states.

The the other man on the porch was not struck by any bullets.

Ortiz said that detectives believe that the suspects—both males standing about 5 feet 10 inches and between 150-180 pounds in dark clothes—were members of local gangs.

Ortiz said that the alleged victims were not members of any local gangs, which may make solving the case easier, as gang-affiliated victims are often unwilling to cooperate with police investigations.

The investigation is ongoing, those with information about this crime can contact the Northeast LAPD tip line by calling 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).