Gunman Who Fired at Police Chief Described

The Inglewood Police Department has released a description of the suspect and new details of the shootout Tuesday night between a would-be robber and the city’s police chief, Oliver M. Thompson.

Thompson, a bicycling enthusiast, was riding along Manchester Boulevard on his way home from a City Council meeting. About 10:30 p.m., as he reached West Boulevard, a car carrying at least two people struck him from behind, knocking him from his bicycle. A gunman got out of the car and demanded that the chief surrender his backpack, police said.

According to police, Thompson complied but at the same time removed his .45 caliber handgun from another pack.

As the suspect backed toward the car while still pointing a gun at Thompson, the chief edged behind a light standard and the two men began firing at one another, police said.

The car slowly accelerated eastbound on Manchester, with the gunman running to catch up. A witness said he heard the gunman say to the driver, “Don’t leave me, ‘G.’ ”

Police said Thompson reported that just as the gunman got into the car, his right leg buckled as if he had been shot or had twisted his ankle.

The car, according to the witness, appeared to be a light-colored Buick Regal. The license plate number is believed to be 29MZ836.

According to a description released by police, the suspect is a black male in his late teens to early 20s, with dark clothes, short hair and a slim build. The suspect’s weapon was a .38 caliber semi-automatic handgun.