Officer shoots carjack suspect

Los Angeles police are investigating the carjacking and kidnapping of a man that led to a short pursuit and ended with an officer shooting a suspect in Pacoima, officials said Monday.

Officers patrolling in the northeast San Fernando Valley responded to a report of a stolen car being driven erratically about 10 p.m. Sunday, said Sgt. Lee Sands of the Los Angeles Police Department. When the car, with four men inside, failed to yield, officers began pursuing it.

Officials said the chase began at Arleta Avenue and Chatsworth Street and lasted several minutes, ending at Laurel Canyon Boulevard near the 118 Freeway. Two of the men fled the scene immediately. Another man aimed a gun at officers. “That’s when the . . . shooting occurred,” Sands said.

The fourth man was the owner of the car and the victim of the alleged kidnapping.

The gunman, who was not immediately identified, was listed in critical condition after being shot in the neck. Authorities later recovered a 9-millimeter handgun at the scene.

One of the suspects who fled was later discovered hiding in an underground parking structure and was treated for a bite from a police dog.

No officers were hurt.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of carjacking and assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer. On Thursday, there were three incidents within several hours in which officers were shot at or had to use their weapons to protect themselves, Sands said.

So far this year, 17 officers have been shot at.

andrew.blankstein @latimes.com