One dead and four injured in Los Angeles BET Awards pre-party shooting

(Reuters) - One person was killed and four others wounded in an early Sunday shooting at a pre-party in Los Angeles ahead of the Black Entertainment Television Awards show, police said.

The gunman fired several rounds at the gathering at a restaurant and banquet hall about 3 miles (5 km) west of downtown before fleeing, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

One of three people taken to local hospitals by ambulance died, police said. The other two people wounded were in stable condition after seeking their own medical care at area hospitals, police said.

It was unclear whether the shooting happened inside or outside the party venue and whether it was gang related, police said. The suspect has not been located, and the victims' names have not been released.

The shooting came a day after violence at another pre-party for the BET Awards, due to take place Sunday evening in Los Angeles. On Saturday, a man was stabbed and wounded during a pre-show event at a nightclub in Hollywood, police said.

The BET Awards show is an annual event that honors African Americans and other minorities in music, film, television, sports and entertainment.

(Reporting by Victoria Cavaliere; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Frances Kerry)