Two sheriff’s deputies hospitalized after shooting, critical but stable condition

BELLFLOWER >> Two sheriff’s deputies were hospitalized today with wounds they suffered in a shooting in Bellflower, and the gunman who allegedly wounded them was taken into custody after a standoff with a teargas-firing SWAT team, authorities said.

Both of the deputies, who work out of the Lakewood Station, were listed in critical but stable condition, Sheriff Jim McDonnell said.

The suspect was taken into custody by a SWAT team that used teargas at a “structure” in which he was hiding behind the main house on a residential property, McDonnell said.

A person who was being held hostage was freed by the SWAT team, McDonnell said. Authorities did not immediately release the name of the gunman, who will be booked on various charges that include attempted murder and kidnapping, McDonnell said.

The incident began around 10:50 p.m. Thursday, as sheriff’s deputies conducted a DUI checkpoint on Lakewood Boulevard.

A motorcycle deputy pulled over the suspect in the 16600 block of Lisa Avenue, deputies said. The suspect then got out of his vehicle with a firearm and “fired several rounds at the deputy, striking him multiple times,” a sheriff’s statement said. The deputy fired back at the suspect, who fled the scene on foot.

As a second set of deputies responded to the shots fired, the suspect shot at them, hitting one, sheriff’s deputies said. A third group of deputies began pursuing the suspect, who fired shots at them before running out of view.

It was not immediately apparent whether the suspect was wounded in the rolling gun battles.

The wounded deputies, both men, were taken by other deputies to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center for surgery, officials said.

The search for the suspect was conducted in the general area of Lakewood Boulevard between Alondra Boulevard and Flower Street, north of the Artesia (91) Freeway, deputies said.

A SWAT unit was sent to the scene, joining more than 40 patrol cars that ABC7 reported were sent to assist with the search.

Anyone with information on the shooting can contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.