LAPD Officer Wounded During Shootout with Suspect

October 11, 2001

"LAPD Officer Wounded During Shootout with Suspect"
 

Harbor: During the PM watch shift of October 10, 2001, two Los Angeles Police Department officers assigned to Harbor Community Police Station, were working a transportation detail as a result of search warrants that were being effected in Harbor Area. The officers (a male and a female) had just transported some suspects to Harbor Area station and were en route back to the search warrant location, when they observed a group of four males (possibly Hispanics) in the area of Marine Avenue and "F" Street. The officers, believing that the suspects were engaging in narcotic activity, exited their police vehicle and approached the suspects in an effort to conduct a narcotic investigation. Shortly thereafter, there was an eruption of gunfire. The officers, in fear for their own lives, returned fire using their service pistols. As the four suspects attempted to elude the officers, the officers broadcasted a "HELP" call, advising that an officer had been wounded. Los Angeles City Paramedics responded to the location and transported the wounded officer to a local hospital where he was listed in critical but stable condition.
Responding units quickly established a perimeter and were able to detain three of the four suspects. During a continuing search of the area by officers assigned to the Department’s Canine and Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) units, the fourth suspect was located in an alley in the area of Avalon Boulevard and "F" Street. The suspect was located with a gunshot wound to his upper torso area and was transported to a local hospital where he is listed in critical condition. A gun was also retrieved from the suspect’s person.
The investigation into this matter is on going and is being conducted by detectives assigned to the Department’s Critical Incident Investigation Division and Robbery Homicide Division.
This press release was prepared by Lieutenant Horace Frank, Officer in Charge, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.