Whittier, Calif. — Three people, including two Whittier police officers, were wounded during a shootout Monday, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s department said. One Officer later died.
The scene is at Mar Vista Street and Colima Road.
Two Whittier Police Department Officers were responding to a traffic collision when a known gang member, who was driving a stolen car, opened fire.
The male suspect was struck by gunfire and transported in an unknown condition to a local hospital for treatment. One Officer is stable and the other succumbed to his injuries.
The Los Angeles Times reported: The suspect had been involved in a traffic accident with another vehicle near Colima Road and Mar Vista Street, and approached the driver he had rear-ended to help push his silver car off to the side of the road around the corner.
When officers arrived, the driver that was struck pointed them to the location of the other vehicle, where they encountered the heavily tattooed suspect.
“He started firing at the officers and they returned fire,” Corina said. “We are still looking into that why he just opened fire.”
The gunman was not identified but officials said he was known to law enforcement for gang activity.
The investigation is ongoing.
Whittier Police investigating an Officer Involved Shooting in the area of Colima Rd./Mar Vista St., please use alternate routes. #whittierpd pic.twitter.com/7Kn46eFZVi
— Whittier Police Dept (@whittierpd) February 20, 2017
