Attempted murder suspect shot by police in Montebello; hit patrol vehicles while trying to flee

MONTEBELLO, Calif. (KABC) -- An attempted murder suspect was taken into custody Tuesday after he rammed his car into two detective vehicles, leading to a police shooting that left him injured.

According to authorities, detectives with the Long Beach Police Department's gang unit were conducting surveillance in the 700 block of Via Altamira related to a shooting last month.

Police said they believe the suspect, identified only as a 33-year-old man, shot a woman on Sept. 25 in the 6000 block of Olive Avenue in Long Beach.

"While detectives were conducting surveillance, the suspect left the residence and drove to a nearby gas station," said police in a statement.

Detectives followed the suspect to a Chevron station near W Beverly Boulevard and N Garfield Avenue and tried to arrest him.

"The suspect got back into a vehicle and intentionally struck two detective vehicles and at least one citizen vehicle as he attempted to flee," said Allison Gallagher, the executive communications officer for the Long Beach Police Department, during a news conference Tuesday afternoon. "At this point, an officer-involved shooting occurred."

The suspect was shot several times, according to police.

At one point, the suspect reportedly barricaded himself inside an apartment, prompting evacuations at nearby residences.

Initially, it was reported that there were two suspects involved but during Tuesday afternoon's news conference led by Gallagher, it appears only one suspect was involved. He remains hospitalized in stable condition and will be booked after he's medically cleared, police said.

"Officers were equipped with body-worn cameras," said police in a statement. "LBPD is in the process of reviewing the footage and will make that available to the public as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, one officer suffered minor injuries as a result of the suspect crashing into the patrol vehicles.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office will conduct an independent investigation of the incident, as they do with all officer-involved shootings that result in injury or death. The California Department of Justice was also notified of the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Chasen Contreras or Don Collier at 562-570-7244. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).