Body Found Shot, Burned in Flood Basin

Los Angeles police on Saturday were investigating the death of a man who was shot and set on fire in a Tarzana flood basin.

The body of the man, who was not identified pending notification of relatives, was found face down in a basin near the intersection of Burbank Boulevard and Etiwanda Avenue around 11 p.m. Friday, said Officer Ralph Duncan. The man had been shot several times and his body and clothing were burned, Duncan said.

Police said no suspects had been arrested in the murder. They declined to release information about the motive for the slaying.

Residents of the area, which is dominated by several apartment houses and condominium buildings, told police they heard several explosions in the street late Friday.

“The explosions sounded just like gunfire,” said Lisa Moeder, 17, who was staying in an apartment building next to the basin.

“I heard screaming,” she said. “It was very scary.”

Large spots of dried blood were still visible in the basin Saturday.

“I thought this was supposed to be a good neighborhood,” Moeder said. “But now I’m scared. I want to move.”