Man shot while riding Los Angeles subway identified by police

A man shot while riding a Los Angeles Metro train in South Los Angeles was identified by authorities Saturday.

Juan Garcia, 38, was on the E-Line train at the La Cienega/Jefferson station when someone approached him as the train was leaving the station and opened fire around 7:20 p.m. Friday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The shooter then fled the area with several other people, who police only described as male because their ages are not known.

Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Hours after his death, Los Angeles police said he was shot in the head.

Fatal shot marks the fourth homicide on a Metro train or bus this year, including two on buses and two more on trains. That compares to one such homicide reported each year in 2021, 2022 and 2023, according to data from the transit agency.

Initially, the department's account of the shooting seemed to indicate that it happened on the train, but police later clarified that it happened on the platform. Meanwhile, police said the shooting may have stemmed from an earlier altercation at the station.

“There are indications that there may have been an altercation or fight here at ground level and that the individuals ran upstairs onto the platform and boarded a train that was here at the station,” said LAPD Captain Jaime Bennett.

The suspects remained at large Saturday as homicide detectives continue their investigation.

No further details have been released as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Southern Homicide Division detectives at 323-786-5111, while calls made after hours or on weekends should be directed to 1- 877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Those wishing to remain anonymous should call LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.