3 Injured, 1 Critically, in Gang Fight

NORTH HOLLYWOOD — A man was critically injured and two others were hurt during a gang fight early Sunday that began in a bar and spilled onto the street, Los Angeles police said.

Luis Martinez, 20, was in extremely critical condition at Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills after undergoing brain surgery for his injuries, Detective Gil Uribe said.

Gang members at the Royal Oak Bar at Chandler Boulevard and Whitsett Avenue became involved in a shouting match at 1:40 a.m. that escalated into a full-scale brawl, police said. Martinez “was beaten badly with a clubbing-type of device,” Uribe said.

Two other men were treated for minor injuries at local hospitals and released.

By the time officers arrived, most of the gang members had fled, leaving behind their injured companions, Uribe said. No arrests had been made, but the investigation was continuing, Uribe said.