Suspect opens fire on LAPD cruiser during traffic stop, injuring 2 officers

As the vehicle came to a stop, the suspect “immediately shot at the officers,” who returned fire; The suspect fled from the scene

July 06, 2024 10:17 AM

By Howard Blume
Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — An LAPD traffic stop Wednesday night nearly became deadly when an assailant pulled out a weapon without warning and began firing at two officers, police said.

The officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries. One had a graze wound in the head; the other was injured by shattered glass, police said.

A photo of the damaged cruiser released by the Los Angeles Police Department shows several bullet holes in the windshield, with both the passenger and driver positions hit.

According to the police account, Southeast Division officers were patrolling in the area of Broadway and Rosecrans Avenue around 9 p.m. Wednesday when they initiated the traffic stop to have the driver of a white Chevy sedan pull the car over near the intersection of South Broadway and Rosecrans.

As the vehicle came to a stop, police said, someone in the car “immediately shot at the officers,” who returned fire. “It’s unknown if the suspect was struck,” the department reported on social media.

Trending

Officer Down

Suspect who fatally shot Mo. deputy during traffic stop kills second deputy in shootout

The man went on the run after killing a Christian County deputy; when he was located by law enforcement, he opened fire, killing another deputy and igniting the shootout that led to his own death

February 24, 2026 10:22 AM

Traffic Safety

BWC: N.Y. State Police trooper struck after driver blows through stop sign

Trooper Bailey Martin was outside her cruiser when an SUV attempted to make a right turn at high speed; the driver missed the turn and crashed into Martin and her cruiser

February 25, 2026 11:24 AM

Joanna Putman

Arrests and Sentencing

Woman arrested for crashing stolen ambulance into building housing DHS office

Meridian police say the woman faces federal charges for the attempted destruction of a federal property by fire

February 24, 2026 12:08 PM

Officer Down

N.M. officer killed after truck strikes cruiser during traffic stop

Sgt. Michael Schlattman, who had been with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office since 2012, was pinned beneath his cruiser after a tractor-trailer struck it while he was standing by the roadway

February 24, 2026 01:10 PM

The police account does not make clear whether it was the driver or someone else in the car who shot at the officers. A media officer said Thursday that no further details were available.

After the exchange of gunfire, the car sped away. Officers pursued it to the area of Broadway and 135th Street, where they lost sight of the vehicle traveling north on Broadway.

Fire Department paramedics transported the officers to a nearby hospital for examination and treatment. The LAPD reported Wednesday night that both were in stable condition.

“We are still in the early stages of this investigation,” the department posted. “Investigators still have body-worn video to review as well as other video and physical evidence to examine.”

“There is an active search for the suspect and vehicle,” the department wrote. “Investigators are urging anyone who may have been in the area and witnessed the attack on our officers to contact the LAPD .”

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

—