Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Ed Anderson runs a pink pointer through a bullet hole in the left rear stabilizer of a sheriff's helicopter. The helicopter was struck by two gunshots while it was flying near Torrance; it landed safely at the Carson sheriff's station.

Several people detained in shooting at sheriff's copter

Sheriff's helicopter, Ed Anderson
Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Ed Anderson runs a pink pointer through a bullet hole in the left rear stabilizer of a sheriff's helicopter. The helicopter was struck by two gunshots while it was flying near Torrance; it landed safely at the Carson sheriff's station.
Two bullets struck the aircraft in Carson but no one was hurt. A SWAT team joins the investigation.
By Francisco Vara-Orta, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
8:22 AM PDT, May 22, 2008
Several people were detained this morning in Carson in connection with shots fired at a Los Angeles County sheriff's helicopter Wednesday night.

Two bullets struck the helicopter but caused no injuries, authorities said.

 
Shortly after 4:30 this morning, SWAT teams with the Sheriff's Department started serving warrants on people in the area where the incident occurred, said Deputy Oscar Butao of the sheriff's headquarters bureau.

"They are searching the area, basically just asking people, 'Hey, what happened?' Butao said. "There's no standoff though, and people are just being detained, not arrested."

About 11 p.m. Wednesday, two bullets struck the helicopter, which was responding to a robbery call. The pilot was forced to make an unscheduled landing at the Carson station, said Sgt. Carol Rogers, a sheriff's spokeswoman.

Rogers said one bullet struck the belly of the helicopter and the other hit the tail.

After an inspection, the helicopter was found to be safe to fly, Rogers said.

Sheriff's deputies and a SWAT team were dispatched to a residence this morning in what investigators described as "an ongoing tactical operation."

Neighbors told KTLA that helmeted SWAT deputies carried out raids near Carson and evacuated people in nearby homes. Butao said more details on the incident would be released this morning.

francisco.varaorta@latimes.com




The designs of Barclay Butera are showcased at the renovated hotel. Photos
 
A storied party house's pedigreed centerpiece comes with a tale of its own. Photos
 
 

ADVERTISEMENT



Sports Headlines
Spicy, tangy pulled pork
One morning's cooking means deliciousness well into the week. Recipe