A suspect is in custody after an officer was injured at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Harbor Community Station Saturday night, authorities said.
The incident occurred after the officer, who was working on desk operations, attempted to offer assistance to the suspect, who had walked into the station’s lobby, LAPD Chief Michel Moore told reporters in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The discussion escalated into an altercation and it appears the suspect took the officer’s gun from him and began firing, Moore said.
The officer was not struck by gunfire, but he is currently in the hospital recovering from injuries that are consistent with being “pistol whipped,” Moore said.
The suspect fled after the watch commander, who heard the commotion arrived on the scene and “an officer-involved shooting occurred,” Moore said.
The suspect, who Moore said was not struck, fled in a white pick-up truck and was pursued by additional officers. Another altercation broke out before they were able to take him into custody, Moore said. The suspect is being treated for injuries but is expected to be released and charged in the incident, Moore said.
“I am grateful that the officer who was in this incident tonight, who was working the desk, came out to assist this individual to understand what his needs were that he survived and that during this engagement that he did not lose his life,” Moore said. “He did not suffer the injury that apparently this suspect meant to inflict.”
Moore said he expects additional information to be released in the coming hours as the investigation continues. The District Attorney’s office will also investigate because of the officer-involved shooting.
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