A man who allegedly opened fire on a police patrol car in South Los Angeles, causing minor injuries to the two officers inside, was charged Tuesday with attempted murder and other counts.
Malcolm Guss Jr., 31, was arrested Friday in connection with the shooting that occurred around 9 p.m. July 3 near the intersection of Broadway and Rosecrans Avenue, police said.
He was charged Tuesday with one count each of attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle and possession of a machine gun, and two counts each of assault with a machine gun on a peace officer and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to court records.
He was being held without bail.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, two uniformed patrol officers were shot at after attempting to stop the driver of a white, four-door Chevrolet sedan. The driver initially accelerate away from the officers, but stopped suddenly on Broadway, north of Rosecrans Avenue, police said.
“Before officers could exit the police vehicle, the suspect, armed with a fully automatic weapon, fired at officers without warning,” according to the LAPD.
One of the officers managed to return fire. On Saturday, the LAPD identified that officer as Police Officer II Joshua Rodney.
After the shots were fired, the suspect drove off again. Officers attempted to follow for approximately 200 yards, but lost sight of the vehicle in the area of 135th Street and Broadway, police said.
Both officers suffered cuts and scratches from glass fragments caused by the suspect’s rounds. One officer suffered two graze wounds and both were taken to a hospital for treatment.
“During the ensuing investigation, police located and seized the Chevrolet sedan,” according to the LAPD statement. “Police also seized a firearm believed to have been involved in the crime. The investigation is ongoing.”