Search underway for West Hollywood man who jumped off Venice Pier

The U.S. Coast Guard and county lifeguards were searching for a West Hollywood man who jumped off the Venice Pier about 2:30 a.m. today, according to authorities.

Witnesses told firefighters a 29-year-old man jumped into the water, a county fire dispatcher said. The jumper has been identified as Brian Patrick Dunn, said U.S. Coast Guard Lt. George Kolumbic.

"The man's brother is there with authorities, and Dunn's car is still in the parking lot, so we know he's either in the water or on the beach somewhere," said Kolumbic.

"Witnesses said the man was wearing just a T-shirt and shorts when he jumped in. He wasn't wearing a life vest but we're still hoping to find him," said Kolumbic.

The search, he added, was being complicated by high surf and strong rip tides.

"The currents could have pulled him northwest or out to sea," said Kolumbic.

Currently, the U.S. Coast Guard has one helicopter and one small boat that are searching along with one county rescue boat, said Kolumbic. The Coast Guard was also sending an 87-foot patrol boat to join the search, he said.

Kolumbic said the mission would continue throughout the morning and into the afternoon.

CBS2 reported that the man was believed to be drunk.