A suspect being sought in connection with an earlier assault on a police officer was shot and wounded Tuesday by Redondo Beach police in Lawndale, where a police lieutenant suffered minor injuries when the suspect allegedly rammed his patrol car.
Witnesses told reporters they heard as many as 20 gunshots during the roughly 10:20 a.m. shooting in the parking lot of a Best Western hotel at Marine Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard.
According to the sheriff’s department, which is assisting police in the investigation, the wounded suspect had warrants out for his arrest, including one for allegedly assaulting an officer about a week ago. When officers tracked down the suspect in an SUV in the hotel parking lot, the suspect slammed the vehicle into the lieutenant’s patrol car, officials said.
“They (police) attempted to effect a traffic stop,” sheriff’s Lt. Steve Jauch said. “The suspect made some maneuvers with his vehicle and ultimately rammed the car that was occupied by a uniformed lieutenant from the Redondo Beach police department.”
Gunfire quickly erupted. The dark-colored SUV wound up with a bullet- riddled windshield.
The wounded suspect was taken to a hospital in unknown condition, sheriff’s Deputy Mike Barraza said. The lieutenant was taken to a hospital but was listed in good condition.
Police and sheriff’s deputies, initially fearing a second suspect might be in the area and possibly inside the hotel, evacuated the building and set up a search perimeter. Authorities later said only one person appeared to be involved in the confrontation.
–City News Service