Accused gunman charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting CHP officer in Studio City
STUDIO CITY, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A man accused of shooting a California Highway Patrol officer multiple times in an altercation during a traffic stop in Studio City has been charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, prosecutors announced.
Arraignment for Pejhmaun Iraj Khosroabadi, 33, was continued to June 30 after he appeared in court Thursday. The charge includes an allegation of using a firearm causing great bodily injury.
"Based on the facts of this case, I have taken the step of authorizing the filing of a felony attempted murder charge with a gun enhancement that, if found true, could result in a sentence of 40 years to life in prison," DA George Gascón said in a statement. "I believe these are appropriate charges for the person accused in the horrific shooting of a CHP officer."
Prosecutors intend to ask the court to hold Khosroabadi without bail "based on the dangerousness of the defendant and the callousness of the offense," a news release said.
The shooting occurred just before 7:55 p.m. Monday in the 4500 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard in Studio City, one block south of the 101 Freeway, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
WATCH: CHP shooting suspect is a veteran who suffers from PTSD, family says
The 27-year-old officer, who has less than one year of service with the CHP, was hospitalized in serious but stable condition and is expected to recover, according to the agency.
Khosroabadi was arrested shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday. A 4-year-old bloodhound with the LAPD's K-9 unit tracked him to a tent in a homeless encampment at Gloria Avenue and Cantlay Street where he had been hiding, according to reports from the scene.
Piper, the LAPD canine, tracked Khosroabadi's scent from a Haskell Avenue apartment building where a standoff involving SWAT officers occurred early Tuesday morning.
Khosroabadi was being held in lieu of $10 million bail, according to jail records.
In a statement announcing the filing of the case, Gascón said: "We cannot tolerate violence against any member of our community, especially the courageous people who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. As a former police officer, I know the dangers of police work and the many sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and their families.''
Khosroabadi's family said he is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who fought in Afghanistan and suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
City News Service contributed to this report.
