A gunman who allegedly fired shots from a rifle at officers and a squad car in a South Los Angeles neighborhood where a victim had been wounded was taken into custody Thursday morning after an hours-long standoff that included police use of tear gas.
Officers were sent about 8:45 p.m. Wednesday to investigate a report of a shooting in the 4000 block of Third Avenue, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
“When they arrived, the officers observed and made contact with a male victim who was suffering from a gunshot wound in an adjacent parking lot,” according to a police statement. “While providing aid to the victim, the officers also made contact with the suspect, Amir Ahmad. During their brief interaction with the victim and the suspect, Ahmad fired multiple rounds from an AK 47-style assault weapon at the officers.”
The officers took cover, called for backup and managed to pull the wounded victim to safety, police said. The victim was taken to a hospital. He reportedly suffered a leg wound.
“The officers were not struck by gunfire, however a black and white police vehicle was struck several times,” according to the LAPD.
Ahmad fled into a garage, which was surrounded by officers.
A SWAT team was called in and negotiators made “a lengthy attempt to get Ahmad to surrender,” but he refused.
Tear gas was eventually “introduced” into the garage, prompting Ahmad to give up.
He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer.
Ahmad’s age was not immediately available.
–City News Service