Two killed in spate of shootings in Los Angeles area

    LOS ANGELES, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- A spate of shootings occurred overnight and early Sunday in the Los Angeles area, killing two and wounding nine others, three critically, authorities said.

    The first shooting happened at a birthday party in Long Beach late Saturday when several gang members apparently crashed the party and started a fight, said Sgt. Dina Zapalski, a police spokeswoman.

    A 17 year-old boy and a 15 year-old girl were critically wounded and later died from their injuries, Zapalski said. Another17 year-old boy suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

    The second shooting took place early Sunday in Compton City, when four or five men turned up at a party and opened fire, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Moore said.

    Eight people were shot and three were critically wounded.

    Moore said it was not known if the attack was gang-related.

    No suspect was arrested in both shootings, police said.