Politics & Government

Redondo Beach Police Officer Injured in Lawndale Shooting

The shooting happened at a Best Western hotel. Witnesses say the shooting happened after a report of a robbery at a nearby business.

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REDONDO BEACH, CA — A Redondo Beach Police Officer and a suspect were injured in a shooting Tuesday morning in Lawndale, authorities said.

The incident happened at around 10:20 a.m. at the Best Western Plus South Bay Hotel at the corner of Hawthorne Boulevard and Marine Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Information Bureau.

According to the sheriff's department, which is assisting police in the investigation, the wounded suspect had warrants out for his arrest, including one for allegedly assaulting an officer about a week ago. When officers tracked down the suspect in an SUV in the hotel parking lot, the suspect slammed the vehicle into the lieutenant's patrol car, officials said.

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"They (police) attempted to effect a traffic stop," sheriff's Lt. Steve Jauch said. "The suspect made some maneuvers with his vehicle and ultimately rammed the car that was occupied by a uniformed lieutenant from the Redondo Beach police department."

Gunfire quickly erupted. The dark-colored SUV wound up with a bullet- riddled windshield.

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Detectives were still processing the scene this afternoon and conducting a thorough search of the suspect's vehicle to determine if he was armed, according to a statement released by the Sheriff's Information Bureau.

The wounded suspect was taken to a hospital and was reported in serious condition this afternoon. The lieutenant was taken to a hospital but was listed in good condition and was expected to be released today.

Police and sheriff's deputies, initially fearing a second suspect might be in the area and possibly inside the hotel, evacuated the building and set up a search perimeter. Authorities later said only one person appeared to be involved in the confrontation.

— City News Service contribute to this report. Photo courtesy of KTLA.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS STORY. CLICK REFRESH FOR UPDATES AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE. THIS STORY WAS UPDATED AT 6 P.M.

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