Man Wounded After Argument in Pacoima

A suspected gang member who was shot while running from a man he had argued with in Pacoima was in serious condition Tuesday, Los Angeles police said.

Richard Williams, 20, of Pacoima was shot in the lower back and the hip about 11:30 p.m. Monday in the 12700 block of Van Nuys Boulevard, Detective Jay St. John said. No arrests were made.

St. John said witnesses told police that Williams and another man were standing on the curb and began to argue. The unidentified man pulled out a gun and shot Williams as he attempted to run away. The victim was taken to Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, where he was in serious but stable condition Tuesday.

The motive for the argument and shooting was unknown, St. John said. The area where the shooting took place is known by police as a place where narcotics are often sold. Williams is on file with the Police Department’s gang unit as a known gang member, St. John said.