Off-Duty Officer Shot in Scuffle

An off-duty Baldwin Park police officer was in stable condition at a Northridge hospital Saturday after being shot twice in a gun battle with a suspected gang member, authorities said.

Officer Greg Denelf, 30, was shot twice in the leg about 10:30 p.m. Friday when he tried to assist two men being assaulted in the parking lot of a liquor store, authorities said.

Arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection with the attack were Jason Hammer, 19, of Oxnard; Stacey Rich, 18, of Compton; Etienne Moore, 19, of Pacoima, and an unidentified 15-year-old who is being held at Sylmar Juvenile Hall.

Police said they were seeking about seven other suspects.

Denelf was preparing to move and was looking for boxes at Super Store, 20043 Vanowen St., when he saw about 10 reputed gang members assaulting two men at a nearby liquor store, authorities said.

Denelf, a three-year police veteran, identified himself as a police officer and tried to stop the fight. But the gang members attacked, knocking him to the ground before one of the suspects allegedly shot him twice in the leg.

Denelf returned fire, but apparently did not hit anyone.