A shootout in Salazar Park in East Los Angeles late on Wednesday, Sept. 19, left two California deputies injured and a suspect dead.
Both Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were in serious but stable condition, Sheriff Jim McDonnell told KTLA.
They were shot during a gunfight with at least three suspects at the park that started when officers investigated a report of a man with a gun about seven blocks away from the park.
The information relayed to deputies indicated the man was pointing a gun at passerby from a vehicle.
The car the man was in was tracked to the park. Before the deputies—who were in two separate vehicles—could pull it over, the car stopped and the occupants emerged with guns drawn and started shooting.
The suspects started shooting at the police before any officers fired a shot, officials stressed.
Here’s the park where the shooting took place. pic.twitter.com/4yjLcx5O3V
— Jonah Valdez (@Jonahmv) September 20, 2018
Shooting at Salazar park . Car drove in the park by the basketball courts and started blasting . Man worlds crazy
— ☔️ (@Spunky_Bryan) September 20, 2018
Officers’ Condition
The officers were hit in their upper torso. One suspect was killed. The other two suspects, one of whom was injured, were both arrested.
“It looks pretty good, so we’re hopeful there’s no complications and they make a speedy recovery,” Harris Capt. Darren Harris said in a press briefing.
“This could have ended up very differently. Both are seasoned deputies with over 10 years on the job. I wouldn’t want to go into the details of the injuries, other than they were shot in the upper body. They’re in good hands,” added McDonnell, reported Fox 11.
Only on KCAL9 at 10p and CBS2 at 11p: Security video of slow speed chase before Deputy Involved Shooting at Salazar Park in East LA. 1 suspect dead. 2 deputies injured. 2 suspects arrested. pic.twitter.com/voXD9e3Id9
— Jeff Nguyen (@jeffnguyen) September 20, 2018
#LASD deputies shot in East LA last night we’re hit in the shoulder and jaw. Both are expected to survive. pic.twitter.com/lMP3a8amWK
— Rob Hayes (@abc7robhayes) September 20, 2018
Investigation Launched
Homicide detectives were at the scene of the gunfight on Sept. 20, gathering evidence and poring over the area, reported The Associated Press.
Video footage showed a number of officers on the scene.
Anyone with information on the gunfight or the events that led up to it is asked to call the police.
“We’ll follow all leads. I mean, if you’re going to shoot at a deputy sheriff, shoot two of our deputy sheriffs, then we’re going to follow every lead to try and find out exactly who was involved with this and hold them accountable,” Harris said.
From NTD.tv
