Who:
Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell, Chief of Office of Human Resources;
Captain Terry Hara, Southeast Area, Commanding Officer

What:
Press Conference

When:
November 25, 2003
4:00 p.m.

Where:
Southeast Division
145 W. 108^th Street
Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles: On Monday, November 24, 2003 at about 9:55 p.m., Officer William Skett and Jeffrey Bright were on patrol in the Nickerson Gardens Development within the Southeast Division. They saw two men involved in what appeared to be a "hand to hand" drug deal. When the suspects saw the approaching black and white police vehicle, one suspect ran away from the officers. The other suspect, who was positioned on the passenger side of the police car, ran behind parked cars and then began shooting at the officers with a handgun. Officer Bright, who was seated as passenger began to exit the police car when the suspect who was now to the rear of the vehicle continued to shoot in his direction. One bullet struck the inside edge of the open passenger door and exited through the front of the door. Another bullet struck the radio carried on Bright’s belt, ripping away the antenna and leaving a hole in his uniform shirt. The suspect then ran away, through the buildings out of sight. Additional officers responded and set up a perimeter. Shortly after their arrival, officers spotted a person who matched the suspect description. The officers who were shot at positively identified 19 year-old Edward McKnight, as the suspect who shot at them. Robbery-Homicide Detectives responded to the crime scene and assumed responsibility for the investigation. A total of six 9mm shell casings were recovered at scene. McKnight was booked for Attempted Murder on a Police Officer.

Officer Jeffrey Bright will be present at the press conference as well as his shirt and radio.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Robbery-Homicide Division at 213-485-2129. On weekends and during off-hours contact the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Lucy Diaz, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.