Deputy shoots, wounds suspect who repeatedly rammed into patrol car at Bell Gardens intersection
A bystander's dramatic video shows the SUV slamming into the patrol vehicle with enough force to push it onto a sidewalk.
BELL GARDENS, Calif. (KABC) -- A deputy shot and wounded a suspect who authorities say was doing donuts in the middle of a Bell Gardens intersection before he rammed into a patrol vehicle.
The deputy-involved shooting happened around 4:30 a.m. Thursday at Eastern and Florence avenues, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The department said the deputy was driving down Florence when he saw the driver of a white SUV speeding and doing donuts in the intersection.
Bystander's dramatic video shows SUV repeatedly slamming into LASD vehicle before deputy opens fire
As the deputy entered the intersection to warn other drivers on the road and pull the suspect over, the driver crashed into the patrol car.
"You sometimes have other motorists and pedestrians in the area, so it's extremely dangerous and at times deputies try to just get their attention. Hopefully, have them pull over but sometimes they continue their exhibitions of speed," said Lt. Michael Gomez.
Authorities said the suspect then put the SUV in reverse before driving forward and intentionally ramming into the deputy's vehicle. That's when the deputy opened fire while still seated in the patrol vehicle.
A bystander's dramatic video, obtained by ABC7, captured the violent confrontation as it unfolded. The footage shows the SUV slamming into the deputy's vehicle with enough force that at one point it pushed it onto a nearby sidewalk.
News video from AIR7 HD showed the intersection where the SUV could be seen with bullet holes through the front windshield.
"After that initial shooting, it appears as if the suspect vehicle again then reversed, was appearing to potentially strike the vehicle again, and subsequently a second deputy-involved shooting occurred as well," said Gomez.
The suspect was detained at the scene and taken to a local hospital with gunshot wounds. He was listed in stable condition.
The deputy, meanwhile, appears to have been injured in the crash but is also in stable condition.
