Los Angeles - On Wednesday, April 24, 2002, at approximately 7:15 p.m., Wilshire Area Patrol Officers were patrolling the area of 21^st and Cimarron Street. Officers were driving their marked police car and an additional unmarked police car was traveling directly in front of the officers. As the unmarked police car entered the intersection, the officers observed a 4 door Toyota, driving north on Cimarron Street. The driver of the Toyota failed to stop for a stop sign and entered the same intersection, nearly colliding with the unmarked police car. Officers in the marked police car attempted to stop the Toyota. The driver of the Toyota accelerated rapidly and drove around the corner where the car collided with a parked vehicle.

The driver and passenger of the Toyota ran in opposite directions and were chased by the officers. The driver reached into his front waistband as he ran through the residential neighborhood. The driver scaled a fence, exposing a shiny object in his waistband, then ran towards one of the officers with his hand on his waistband. The officer, having knowledge that the neighborhood was an active violent gang area and fearing that the driver was retrieving a gun from his waistband, drew his service pistol and fired one round, wounding the driver. The driver was taken into custody. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital where the driver was admitted in critical condition. No gun was recovered, however the suspect was in possession of a pair of metal scissors. The passenger was arrested during a search of the area. Both suspects are juveniles.

A subsequent investigation revealed the Toyota was reported stolen.

Detectives assigned to the Department's Robbery Homicide Division and Critical Incident Investigation Division are conducting this investigation. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call 213-485-2531 during business hours. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This press release was prepared by Officer Esther Mya Pe, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.