Shootout Followed Assault, Police Say
The man killed by police Saturday night in a Harbor Freeway shootout started the chase by assaulting an officer and then driving off in his squad car, authorities said.
Police confronted the man during a drug investigation in South Los Angeles. The incident turned violent when the suspect punched an officer and knocked him down. A brief gun battle ensued before the suspect jumped into the squad car and sped off.
The chase ended near downtown, where another gun battle left the suspect dead.
One officer suffered a wrist injury requiring surgery. Another officer suffered a hand injury. Police did not release the identities of the suspect or the injured officers.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
