2 Sought in Pacoima Man’s Slaying

PACOIMA — A 24-year-old man was fatally shot early Saturday in the yard of a housing project, authorities said.

Pedro Mercado of Pacoima was pronounced dead at the scene, Det. Lindy Gligorijevic of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Foothill Division said.

The shooting occurred about 5:20 a.m. at the complex in the 12700 block of Van Nuys Boulevard, authorities said.

Mercado was riding a bicycle through a basketball court when two men confronted him, said Officer Eduardo Funes, an LAPD spokesman. During the fight that followed, Mercado was shot at least once in the chest, authorities said.

Officers responding to a “shots fired” call found Mercado on the ground, according to authorities.

At least two men were seen fleeing the area on foot, Gligorijevic said. She said the weapon used in the slaying had not been found and the motive for the attack was unknown.