LAPD Shooting: Suspects Open Fire at 2 Cops in Los Angeles
Two Los Angeles police officers in a patrol car were shot at Sunday night in an unprovoked attack while they were driving in the southern part of the city, police said. The officers returned fire, but no one was injured.
The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. while the officers were responding to a call and driving in South Los Angeles, an area infamous for criminal and gang activity along with a heavy police presence. That's when the officers saw the muzzle flash of a rifle pointed in their direction and opened fire, said LAPD spokeswoman Officer Nuria Venegas.
One suspect was arrested and two weapons, including a rifle, were recovered. One hundred LAPD officers went on a manhunt to find the other suspect, who still remains at large, LAPD Capt. Lillian Carranza said, according to CNN.
The shooting comes in midst of national debate and protests against police brutality and excessive force in light of the recent murders of unarmed black men and boys at the hands of white cops.
"Obviously, with what happened in New York and what we know is the sentiment right now nationwide, in the mornings or in the evenings when you put on your uniform, you're very much aware that there are some currents of anger toward police," LAPD Detective Meghan Aguilar told KABC-TV. "We're aware that we could be a target for individuals that are angry at law enforcement right now."
Deputy Chief Bob Green told NBCLA that "based on what's going on in the national picture, tensions are very high, that's not what we need. Whether or not this is related to that -- too early to tell."
Earlier that day, someone fired three bullets at two deputies with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office in Florida as they sat in their patrol car Sunday morning.
"Both deputies reported hearing the whizzing sound of each projectile as they flew by," the sheriff's office said. "Deputies did not see the suspect or the vehicle from which the shots were fired."
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