Man confronting taggers is shot in east Hollywood

The shooting occurred in the 5000 block of Hollywood Boulevard shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday when workers at the auto body shop spotted taggers painting a 6-foot-high black letters on a wall, police said. The gunshot victim and his employees were writing down license plate information when the alleged taggers got out of their car, said Sgt. Alfredo Flores of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The owner told the two youths -- each described as not much taller than 5 feet -- not to tag his property, Flores said.

One of the youths then pulled out a handgun, shot the man in the chest, got back in the car and drove away.

Authorities have not released the victim's name.

Authorities suspect that the youths are tied to a local gang known as Armenian Power.

Surveillance video from the shop is being used by detectives, who said they think they have identified the youths and are searching for them now, said LAPD Cmdr. Pat Gannon.

A vehicle believed to have been used by the assailants was found Wednesday in the San Fernando Valley and seized by officers. The auto body shop had previously been tagged with graffiti and the owner had installed video cameras connected to the store's computers to monitor activity.

At the shop Thursday, a man who identified himself as the victim's brother declined to speak to reporters, except to say his brother was doing fine.

francisco.varaorta @latimes.com

molly.hennessy-fiske @latimes.com

Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.