Suspect wounded in deputy-involved shooting in Compton

ByJory Rand and ABC7.com staff KABC logo
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Suspect wounded in deputy-involved shooting in Compton
A suspect was wounded in a deputy-involved shooting near Long Beach and Compton boulevards in Compton Wednesday, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies said.

COMPTON, Calif. (KABC) -- A man was wounded in a deputy-involved shooting in Compton Wednesday, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies said.

The shooting occurred near Long Beach and Compton boulevards at about 5:40 p.m.

Sheriff's officials said the deputies involved heard the gunshots in the area, and the suspect nearly ran into their cruiser.

"I don't know the full extent of exactly how he brandished the weapon, but he was running down the street with the handgun and he encountered the deputies at the same time we made the turn on the corner," said Rod Kusch with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Compton resident Diamond Bevans said she was in the car right behind the deputies as they opened fire.

"We were at the light. The officers just hopped out and started shooting. The man was already on the ground, but they still was walking up to him shooting," Bevans said.

Other witnesses said the man was firing his weapon as he ran down the street.

The man was transported to a local hospital in unknown condition. No deputies were injured.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Sheriff's Homicide Bureau, Internal Affairs Bureau and the Inspector General's Office is investigating the shooting, which is routine protocol following deputy-involved shootings.

Anyone with further information was urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.