Taggers Arrested After Shooting at a Police Officer

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, March 14, 2000

"Taggers Arrested After Shooting at Police Officer"

Los Angeles – On Monday, March 13, 2000, at approximately 10:30 p.m., a Northeast Area patrol officer, was advised by a citizen that suspects were painting graffiti on the wall of a building in the 2700 block of Fletcher Drive. The officer proceeded north on Fletcher Drive and observed two male suspects standing in front of 2727 Fletcher Drive. One of the suspects was shooting a handgun at an unknown person. As the officer continued north the suspect observed the officer and began shooting in the direction of the officer. The suspects then ran north on Fletcher Drive, then west on Atwater Avenue. The officer pursued the suspects until they ran between residences out of his sight. The officer requested assistance and a perimeter was set up containing the suspects.

Officers from Metropolitan Division, K-9 and SWAT, responded and after approximately four hours of searching, located both suspects. The suspects, both male juvenile gang members, were identified by the officer as the suspects who fired at him. The weapon utilized by the suspect was located in a cactus patch along the path of flight of the suspect. Both suspects were booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer. One of the suspects had an outstanding felony warrant for robbery. The suspects were detained at Juvenile Hall.

Robbery-Homicide Division is conducting the investigation. Please direct all inquiries to the Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.

For Release 2:00 pm PST
March 14, 2000