By Olivia Smith
An ambush in Compton, C.A. leaves two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies fighting for their lives.
The two deputy sheriffs were shot multiple times in their car shortly before 7 p.m. PT on Saturday, Sep. 12 across the street from the M.L.K Transit Center in Compton. The assailant was identified as a dark-skinned male and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors authorized a reward for his arrest if found.
The two deputies, a 31-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man were sitting in their parked patrol vehicle at the Metro Station when the shooting commenced.
An image from video surveillance footage shows a man wearing dark clothes pointing a handgun at the passenger side of the patrol vehicle. Using the gun, he fired upon the deputies without any warning and then immediately fled the scene.
The two deputies can be seen staggering out of the car in a pursuit to get help. New video surveillance released on Monday shows the female deputy struggling to help her partner as she was bleeding out of her own wounds. According to L.A. County sheriff Alex Villanueva, the female deputy was able to get help by calling in on the police radio despite having just been shot.
After receiving the call, the deputies were rushed to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood where they underwent immediate surgery. They were then sent to the intensive care unit as they were in critical condition Saturday night. They suffered severe gunshot wounds to the head. As of Monday afternoon, they are in critical but stable condition.
Authorities in L.A. County are continuing to search for the missing gunman, asking for the public’s help in finding him.
Local officials announced a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and sentence of the suspect.
There is speculation going around on social media about an identified male suspect in Los Angeles County. But L.A. County sheriffs said on Twitter that this is erroneous information and there is still no official named or wanted suspect.
As for the anti-police protesters who yelled, “We hope they die,” and blocked the St. Francis Medical Center emergency entrances and exits on Saturday night, police officers interviewed.
The sheriff’s department tweeted, “DO NOT BLOCK EMERGENCY ENTRIES AND EXITS TO THE HOSPITAL,” said one tweet. “People’s lives are at stake when ambulances can’t get through.”
Police officers eventually came to the scene of protesters. After a dispersal order was given, one man neglected to listen and comply to the orders. He was arrested that night.
One more arrest took place. Reporter Josie Huang of KPCC and LAist was taken under custody when she aggressively interfered with the protesters. She received a citation for reportedly violating the obstruction law, Penal Code Section 148.
As the situation continues, many citizens question when the violence will stop. A report released Monday by the Network Contagion Research Institute noted multiple online threats and misdemeaning slogans centered around police officers. One slogan read “ACAB” which stands for “All Cops Are Bastards.” They also talked about images on social media depicting police officers shot or their cars burning down.
FBI Los Angeles tweeted later that night that they are offering resources to assist in response to further attacks on police officers.
President Trump also took to Twitter early Sunday to voice his converse. He said the shooters of the deputies are, “Animals that must be hit hard!” He later added, “If they die, fast trial death penalty for the killer. Only way to stop this!”