Suspected Gang Member Shot by Officers

A suspected gang member who allegedly fired several shots at police before his gun jammed was shot and seriously wounded early Wednesday when the officers returned fire, Los Angeles police said.

Joseph Dagan, 18, was wounded in both legs, shoulder and arm in the 1:55 a.m. shootout in the 8200 block of Langdon Avenue, Lt. John Dunkin said.

Dagan was taken to Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, where he was treated and transferred to the jail ward of County-USC Medical Center. He was listed in stable condition late Wednesday.

Dagan was booked on suspicion of attempted murder on a police officer.

The incident began when two officers on routine patrol saw a car occupied by suspected gang members, Dunkin said. The car sped off when the driver saw the officers, and the officers gave chase. A short distance away, the car slowed and the driver and passenger jumped from the moving vehicle.

The officers then chased the men on foot and cornered the driver, later identified as Dagan, who tried to hide behind parked cars. Dunkin said Dagan then pulled out a .45-caliber pistol and fired several rounds at the officers. Officers Christopher McKinney, 26, and Eric Eitner, 28, both four-year department veterans, returned fire with their 9-millimeter service revolvers.

Dunkin said it was not known whether both or only one officer shot Dagan.

The other man escaped.

Officers who examined the suspect’s gun later found that it had apparently jammed, preventing Dagan from firing more rounds, Dunkin said.