UPDATE: Two Motorists Shot on Artesia (91) Freeway in Bellflower; SigAlert Issued

By City News Service

Two men were wounded, one critically, in a shooting Thursday night following a collision on the westbound Artesia (91) Freeway in nearby Bellflower, authorities said.

The shooting happened around 8:40 p.m. July 24 just west of Bellflower Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol.

One of the victims was shot multiple times and was in critical condition, while the other was hit in the elbow, said CHP officer Cheyenne Quesada. Both were taken to a hospital for treatment, Quesada added.

Two male suspects from one of the vehicles involved in the crash opened fire on the other and then abandoned their vehicle before getting into a silver SUV and leaving the scene, a CHP captain told reporters at the scene.

It was unclear if the suspects knew whoever was in the silver SUV, the captain said.

A SigAlert was declared for the westbound Artesia Freeway, where all lanes were closed, Quesada said.

The transition road from the southbound San Gabriel River (605) Freeway to the westbound Artesia Freeway was also closed, he said.

The closures caused a massive traffic backup.