May 6, 2010 | 7:42 pm

A gun battle erupted near Dockweiler State Beach on Thursday afternoon after reputed gang members came to the coast in a rented stretch Hummer limousine to celebrate so-called Hood Day, according to police.



Two people were injured -- one hit by gunfire and another struck and dragged by the limo after it was riddled with bullet holes, the Los Angeles Police Department said.



The Hummer had ferried about eight reputed gang members, along with several female companions, to the beach to celebrate the founding of their group, the LAPD said.



Police said the violence broke out after the group encountered rival gang members about 3 p.m. near the 7300 block of Vista del Mar Lane. Words were exchanged, a scuffle broke out and shots were fired, the LAPD said.



A gun battle erupted near Dockweiler State Beach on Thursday afternoon after reputed gang members came to the coast in a rented stretch Hummer limousine to celebrate so-called Hood Day, according to police.Two people were injured -- one hit by gunfire and another struck and dragged by the limo after it was riddled with bullet holes, the Los Angeles Police Department said.The Hummer had ferried about eight reputed gang members, along with several female companions, to the beach to celebrate the founding of their group, the LAPD said.Police said the violence broke out after the group encountered rival gang members about 3 p.m. near the 7300 block of Vista del Mar Lane. Words were exchanged, a scuffle broke out and shots were fired, the LAPD said. "There was a little bit of a gunfight," said Sgt. Ron Pickering of the LAPD's Pacific Division. "People scattered and the limo driver took off."



The vehicle was hit by about half a dozen bullets, police said. As the vehicle left, it struck and dragged a man. His name was not released. He was in critical condition.



Another victim, described as a male in his 30s, was shot in the chest and was in stable condition, according to police.



Police stopped the Hummer on the 105 Freeway east of Vermont Avenue in South Los Angeles. About eight suspected members of the Blood Stone Villains and Compton Piru gangs and several female friends were inside, according to the LAPD.



Pickering said the driver was detained and several other people were booked on outstanding warrants not related to the shooting. The case was under investigation.



-Andrew Blankstein and Robert J. Lopez