LAPD officer shot, wounded; teen in custody

A Los Angeles Police Department officer was shot and wounded Thursday in the south L.A. area while driving to work, and police took a juvenile suspect into custody for attempted murder and were working to determine if any accomplices were involved in the crime.

The shooting was reported about 5 a.m. near Central Avenue and 28th Street, near the LAPD’s Newton Station, according to the LAPD.

The officer was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, the LAPD reported. His name was not released.

“Grateful our officer will survive this unprovoked attack,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore said in a statement. “Just spoke with him by phone. Our Robbery Homicide detectives have (investigated) and I’m confident they will identify the individual(s) responsible. Too many guns in too many hands.”

Officers quickly established a perimeter in the area and took a possible suspect into custody, police said.

LAPD Assistant Chief Robert Marino told reporters that the officer was driving south on Central Avenue near 28th Street when the shooting occurred.

“As he crossed the intersection, he … realizes the glass in his vehicle is shattered,” Marino said. “At that point, he feels a sharp pain to the back of his head. He realizes he’s been shot. At that point, he continues and drives to the Newton Area police station.”

The officer got out of his vehicle and ran across the street to a Los Angeles Fire Department Station, Marino said.

Los Angeles Fire Department Firefighter David Hinojosa told KTLA5 that firefighters heard a knock on the fire station door, and police officers told them “their fellow officer had been suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.”

“The officer came in, we sat him down into a chair, and rendered aid … and then we assisted him onto our gurney of our rescue ambulance,” Hinojosa said.

Paramedics took the officer to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, Marino said.

“I’m happy to report that he’s in stable condition — he is not seriously injured — and that he will be fine,” Marino said. “He’s currently with his family and his fellow officers.”

The officer apparently suffered a graze wound to the back of his head, Marino said.

Marino said a male juvenile who was in possession of a handgun was detained in the immediate area. Other details about the teen were not released. According to Fox11, the teen in custody is 14.

The LAPD later announced the suspect was booked for attempted murder.

Marino said a motive for the shooting was not known.

“The officer was on his way to work,” Marino said. “He was in his plain clothes, in his plain vehicle. There is no indication that he had been targeted at this point.”

Investigators were working to determine if any other suspects were involved in the crime.

Originally posted at 6:38 a.m. / Updated at 8:37 a.m.

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