By Josh Cain and Jonah Valdez
Daily News, Los Angeles
SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. — An off-duty LAPD officer and suspect were wounded Wednesday afternoon during a shootout at the officer’s Sherman Oaks apartment garage, where he found an individual who had broken into his vehicle and was attempting to steal his police gear, authorities said.
Police officers swarmed the Sherman Oaks neighborhood around 2:25 p.m. in the 5200 block of Vesper Avenue after the shooting was reported, said Los Angeles police Officer William Cooper, an LAPD spokesman.
Investigators learned the off-duty officer confronted the man inside the garage, leading to an altercation where both individuals fired at each other, Cooper said.
The officer was struck in the chest and the suspect was hit in the leg and shoulder, Cooper said. Both were transported to local hospitals where they were listed as stable.
The alleged shooter had been wearing the off-duty officer’s bulletproof vest and used the officer’s firearm in the shooting, said Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore during a news conference.
The suspect, who remained hospitalized, was in police custody, Cooper said.
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