Officer Involved Shooting In South Gate Leads To Arrests, Injuries

(South Gate) Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau detectives are continuing to assist South Gate Police Department (SGPD) personnel investigate the circumstances surrounding a South Gate Police Department officer-involved shooting.

Just after 7:30 on Saturday evening (January 5, 2013), officers responded to Montara Avenue and Tweedy Boulevard, South Gate to investigate a carjacking “just occurred” call. During the carjacking, the victim (male Hispanic adult) was stabbed and pulled from his vehicle (Black GMC Sierra) by a male Hispanic suspect. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment and has since been released.

A short time later, South Gate Police Department officers found the stolen vehicle abandoned approximately ½ mile away from the original incident.

While surveilling the vehicle, officers saw four male suspects approach it and begin removing items from inside. As South Gate Police Department officers attempted to contact the suspects, they got into another car (White Taurus) and sped away. South Gate Police Department officers attempted to stop the car, but the driver did not yield.

A pursuit ensued ending at 97th and Grape Streets, Los Angeles, when the suspect’s vehicle crashed into a residential fence. The four suspects immediately exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Two of the suspects (Suspects #1 and #2) ran north on Grape Street and two suspects (#3 and #4) ran south on Grape Street, Los Angeles. South Gate Police Department officers went in foot pursuit of the four suspects. Suspect #1 ran east on 97th Street through the Jordan Downs Housing Project, Los Angeles, where an officer involved shooting occurred. Suspect #1 was hit and transported to a local hospital where his condition is unknown. He is described as a male Hispanic, 17 years old. A firearm was not recovered from the scene, although a black handled screwdriver was located. During the pursuit of Suspects #3 and #4, a second officer involved shooting occurred, involving Suspect #3. He was not hit and continued running westbound through yards toward Anzac Avenue where he was confronted by another South Gate Police Department officer. At this time, another officer involved shooting occurred, involving Suspect #3. He was not hit, yet stopped and was taken into custody. Suspect #3 is described as male White, 25 years old. Suspects #2 and #4 are described as male Hispanic Adults and remain outstanding. A screwdriver was also located at this scene. A search of the area for firearms was conducted, but none were recovered. There were no officers injured.

It is unknown if these suspect were involved in the original carjacking incident. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation into the shooting along with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Shooting Team.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the websitehttp://lacrimestoppers.org.