GIRL, 16. SHOT WHILE WALKING NEAR HOLLYWOOD SCHOOL: Police say the student at Helen Bernstein High apparently was caught in the crossfire of two rival gangs and wounded in the hip. She was taken to a hospital in good condition.

By Robert Lopez | LA Times

October 14, 2009 -- A 16-year-old girl was shot in the hip Tuesday afternoon within two blocks of Helen Bernstein High School in Hollywood, where classes had just ended for the day, authorities said.

The student was taken to a hospital, where she was listed in good condition, said Officer Bruce Borihanh of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police suspect that the girl, who had been walking home, was caught in the crossfire between rival gangs, according to an LAPD source who asked not to be named because the case was ongoing.

Borihanh said witnesses reported seeing four boys running from the scene of the shooting, which occurred about 1:50 p.m. near Wilton Place and Fountain Avenue.

"Nobody saw a gun," he said. "Nobody saw the shooting take place."

Monica Carazo, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Unified School District, said the high school and two other nearby schools were locked down until about 4 p.m.

The school district alerted parents with a recorded phone message.

robert.lopez@latimes.com