Gunman killed, deputy wounded in shootout during traffic stop in Compton, authorities say

COMPTON, Calif. (KABC) -- A suspected gang member was killed and a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was wounded late Wednesday evening in a shootout that took place during a traffic stop in Compton, authorities said.

According to investigators, the incident began about 11:40 p.m. in the 900 block of Santa Fe Avenue, where two deputies pulled over a white car with Utah license plates for traffic violations.

A male and two females were in the sedan, whose rear passenger door was opened by one of the deputies.

The male suspect "then armed himself with a handgun, pointed it at one of the deputies and opened fire," the L.A. County Sheriff's Department said in a statement, adding that the deputy returned fire.

The suspect then fired at the other deputy, who also shot back, the news release said.

The armed man, struck by gunfire in the exchange, was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was not immediately identified.

One of the deputies, whom the suspect shot in the chest and arm, was treated at a medical center and released, according to authorities. That deputy's bulletproof vest apparently saved his life.

The two women in the vehicle were detained as part of an investigation.

The suspect's firearm was recovered at the scene, investigators said.