Police Officer, Guard Wounded by Shotgun-Wielding Assailant

A man with a shotgun chasing another man through a housing project in Pasadena opened fire on a police officer and a security guard Friday evening when they ordered him to drop the weapon, authorities said.

The two were treated for minor wounds and released later that night from Huntington Memorial Hospital, Officer Jim Riley said, and a suspect was arrested.

Several officers were walking out of the Kings Villages housing project, where they had been assisting in the eviction of tenants, to the sidewalk near the 1100 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue when they heard gunshots at about 7:30 p.m., Riley said.

They then saw a shotgun-wielding man chasing another man. The officers ordered the man to drop the weapon; he fired three rounds at them instead, Riley said.

Other officers chased the man and caught him. He was unharmed, Riley said.

The officer, who was said to be wearing a bulletproof vest, was hit in the chest and left arm. The security officer was struck in the leg.

Tracy Washington, 23, of Pasadena was arrested for attempted murder and is being held in County Jail without bail, Riley said.

Officers described the project, partially owned by the city of Pasadena, as a “long-time trouble spot” plagued by numerous drive-by shootings and narcotics dealing.

Police said the eviction was a totally unrelated matter.