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LYNWOOD (CNS) - Two suspects were in custody today after a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was wounded in a gunfight while responding to an armed robbery call in Lynwood.
Deputies responded at around 7:15 p.m. Monday to the area of Lorraine and 112th streets to reports of a robbery, said Deputy Tracy Koerner of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
They located a man who said he was the victim of the robbery at gunpoint and gave them a description of the suspects, who had fled the scene in a black Dodge Ram pickup, Koerner said.
Deputies then located the suspects' vehicle and exchanged gunfire with them near Lorraine and Fernwood Avenue. The suspects made a U-turn and began driving toward the deputies, who returned fire as the suspects began shooting at them, Koerner said.
During the exchange of gunfire, one of the deputies was struck in the upper body and was rushed to a local hospital.
One suspect was detained at the scene and detectives found three handguns, which they believe were used by the suspects in the robbery, Koerner said.
The second suspect was taken into custody at approximately 10:48 p.m. Monday after allegedly leading deputies on a high-speed chase in a white pickup truck in which he barely missed colliding with several vehicles on the southbound Long Beach (710) Freeway. After leaving the freeway, the suspect crashed into an electrical pole and a median near Eastern Avenue and was arrested, authorities said.
The suspect sustained injuries related to the traffic collision and was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Koerner said. At least one deputy discharged a weapon at the conclusion of the pursuit, but sheriff's officials said it was determined that the suspect was not shot.
The deputy who was shot underwent surgery to remove a bullet and was “awake and in good spirits” following surgery, according to Koerner.
The incidents will be investigated by the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau and Internal Affairs Bureau, the Office of the Inspector General and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, as per policy when any deputy discharges a service weapon.
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