A Los Angeles Police Department traffic stop Wednesday night nearly turned deadly when a gunman pulled out a gun without warning and began shooting at two officers, police said.
The officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries. One had a minor head wound and the other was injured by broken glass, police said.
A photograph of the damaged cruiser released by the Los Angeles Police Department shows several bullet holes in the windshield, with the passenger and driver positions impacted.
According to the police account, officers from the Southeast Division were patrolling the area of Broadway and Rosecrans Avenue around 9 p.m. Wednesday when they initiated the traffic stop for the driver of a white Chevy sedan to stop the car near the intersection of South Broadway and Rosecrans.
When the vehicle stopped, police said, someone in the car “immediately fired shots at officers,” who returned fire. “It is unknown if the suspect was hit,” the department said on social media.
The police version did not clarify whether it was the driver or someone else in the car who fired at the officers. A press official said Thursday that no further details were available.
Following the exchange of gunfire, the car sped away. Officers pursued it to the area of Broadway and 135th Street, where they lost sight of the vehicle traveling north on Broadway.
Fire Department paramedics transported the officers to a nearby hospital for examination and treatment. The Los Angeles Police Department reported Wednesday night that both were in stable condition.
“We are still in the early stages of this investigation,” the department posted. “Investigators still need to review body-worn videos, as well as other video and physical evidence to examine.”
“An active search for the suspect and vehicle is underway,” the department wrote. “Investigators are urging anyone who may have been in the area and witnessed the attack on our officers to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.”
