The two suspects got out of the vehicle, opened fire on the police officers and took off on foot. One round pierced one of the doors of the patrol car, just feet from an officer's head.
"We were asleep, it was about 3 o'clock, you heard a big crash and then shots right immediately. My husband said he saw the people get out and start running," said resident Holly Tyro. "We kept our doors locked and stayed inside."
Police set up a perimeter around the area. With the help of a bloodhound and some assisting agencies, authorities were able to locate both suspects, according to Hemet Police Lt. Duane Wisehart.
Rodrigo Dominguez, a 20-year-old known gang member, was found lying in the bed of a parked pickup truck at around 7 a.m. A homeowner found 25-year-old Adam Bustos hiding in his garage about 45 minutes later and called police.
"They obviously had a reason to run. They both had felony warrants out for their arrest, and they took it a step further by firing at us," said Wisehart.
No children were at the school at the time of the incident and classes were canceled for the day.
City crews were working on repairing the damage in front of the school.