UPDATE | The suspect who allegedly shot two officers while going through a DUI checkpoint has been caught and detained following standoff with a teargas-firing SWAT team, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) confirmed this morning.
The suspect was arrested before 9:00AM, confirmed LASD Deputy Grace Medrano.
In a press conference this morning, LASD Sheriff Jim McDonnell said the two wounded deputies, who work out of the Lakewood station, were in critical but stable condition.
The suspect was arrested by a SWAT team that used teargas at a structure in which he was hiding—behind a main house on a residential property, according to McDonnell. The suspect was holding a person hostage, who was quickly freed by the SWAT team.
The name of the suspect has not yet been released. He will be charged with attempted murder and kidnapping, among other crimes.
At the time of the crime, around 10:50PM Thursday, a motorcycle deputy had pulled over the suspect on the 16600 block of Lisa Avenue, when the suspect exited his vehicle with a firearm.
He subsequently “fired several rounds at the deputy, striking him multiple times,” said a sheriff’s statement. The deputy fired back at the suspect, who fled on foot.
As another set of deputies responded to the shots fired, the suspect shot at them and hit one, according to deputies. A third, separate group of deputies began pursuing the suspect, who fired shots at them before running out of view. It was not immediately apparent if the suspect had been wounded in the rolling gun battles.
Both wounded deputies were transported to Long Beach Memorial Hospital for surgery. The search for the suspect was underway in the area of Lakewood Boulevard between Alondra Boulevard and Flower Street, north of the Artesia (91) Freeway.
The case remains under investigation.
Anyone with information on the shooting was encouraged to contact authorities at 800.222.8477.
City News Service contributed to this report.
This report was updated at 11:34AM.
PREVIOUSLY: Two Sheriff’s Deputies Shot in Bellflower Thursday Night Hospitalized in Long Beach; Shooter Remains at Large
At 6:45AM | Two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies were shot in Bellflower last night at a DUI checkpoint and transported to Long Beach Memorial, according to officials. The shooter remains at large.
According to sheriff’s Deputy Mike Barraza, the shooting occurred at around 10:50PM on the 9000 block of Oak Street. The wounded deputies were then transported to Long Beach Memorial.
Officials are currently conducting a manhunt in the area of Lakewood Boulevard between Alondra Boulevard and Flower Street, north of the Artesia (91) Freeway, Barrazza said. Authorities advised the public to stay away from the area until further notice. The suspect is reportedly armed.
A SWAT unit was on scene this morning, along with more than 40 patrol cars.
Anyone with information on the shooting was encouraged to contact authorities at 800.222.8477.
This report was updated at 10:48AM.
City News Service contributed to this report.