ADVERTISMENT

2 LA County sheriff’s deputies shot in Compton Saturday night; suspect at-large

LA County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva. Courtesy LASD

Deputies shot multiple times at point-blank range, undergo surgery in critical condition

COMPTON (MNS) — A massive manhunt is on for an assailant responsible for shooting two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies in Compton, Saturday night, Sept. 12 at approximately 7 p.m.

The two deputies were sitting in their patrol vehicle at Compton Metro Station, which they patrolled, when they were ambushed, according to a tweet from the department's official Twitter account.

“Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds and are in critical condition. They are both currently undergoing surgery. The suspect is still at large,” the tweet read.

A statement released shortly after the deputies were shot, read: “Moments ago, two of our sheriff deputies were shot in Compton and were transported to a local hospital. They are both still fighting for their lives, so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We will update this thread with information as it becomes available.”

Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Capt. Kent Wegener said during a briefing that the incident took place at 7 p.m. local time. Wegener said the assailant approached from behind the deputies’ vehicle and walked along the passenger side of the car, pulling abreast of the deputies, then opening fire, striking the two multiple times.

A gunman walked up to a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office vehicle and opened fire on two deputies without warning or provocation on September 12, 2020.

The two officers — a 31-year-old mother and 24-year-old — were transported to a local hospital and are “both still fighting for their lives,” LASD says. Both deputies had just been sworn in 14 months ago, Villanueva said.

“This is just a somber reminder that this is a dangerous job, and actions and words have consequences. Our job does not get any easier because people do not like law enforcement,” Villanueva said. “It pisses me off, it dismays me at the same time. There’s no pretty way to say it.”

The shootings come amid protests of two recent fatal shootings of civilians by sheriff’s deputies in Compton and South LA.

In Compton, two recent shootings by sheriff's deputies sparked unrest and protests. In June, a deputy fatally shot Andres Guardado, 18. An autopsy revealed Guardado, had been shot five times in the back. The deputy claimed he was armed.

Last year, Ryan Twyman, 24, died after two deputies opened fire on him as he sat in his car. It was later determined Twyman was unarmed.

In Westmont, an unincorporated area northwest of Compton adjoining South LA,, Dijon Kizzee, 29, and Anthony Weber, 16, both were fatally shot blocks apart by deputies — Weber in 2018, and Kizzee as recent as two weeks ago on Aug. 31.

Metropolis News Service.

This video of the incident, tweeted by LASD, appears to show an individual in dark clothing walking up to the deputies' car, firing a gun into the car and running away.

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/l-a-county-sheriffs-deputy-shot-in-compton-agency-says/

SUBSCRIBE HERE