COMPTON (KGTV) - Two Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies were shot at a Compton train station late Saturday in what the department is calling an ambush-style attack.
A 24-year-old male deputy and 31-year-old female deputy were shot as they sat inside their patrol vehicle at the Metro Blue Line station at Willowbrook Ave. and Oak St. just before 7 p.m., according to the department.
The department said both deputies sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were taken to St. Francis Medical Center, where they underwent surgery. Both deputies were out of surgery as of 10:30 p.m., but their conditions remained critical.
"They are both still fighting for their lives, so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers," LASD wrote on social media.
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Update: One male deputy and one female deputy were ambushed as they sat in their patrol vehicle. Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds and are in critical condition. They are both currently undergoing surgery. The suspect is still at large.
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) September 13, 2020
Investigators say the suspect approached the deputies from behind their vehicle and walked along the passenger side, acting as if he was going to pass by them. The suspect then turned left, raised a pistol, and opened fire, according to LASD.
As the suspect fled the area northbound on foot, the deputies radioed for help.
The department later released a surveillance video showing an unknown person approaching the vehicle and "without warning or provocation" opening fire, before fleeing the area.
Update: The gunman walked up on the deputies and opened fire without warning or provocation. pic.twitter.com/cBQjyKkoxJ
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) September 13, 2020
LASD said the suspect was described as a Black man in his 30s to 40s wearing dark clothing. He was last seen in the area in a black, four-door sedan. Sunday, a $100,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the deputies were sworn into the department just 14 months ago.
"This is just a somber reminder that this is just a dangerous job. Actions, words have consequences and our job isn’t going to get any easier just because people don’t like law enforcement," Villanueva told reporters during a Saturday night briefing.
The department said early Sunday morning that the shooting sparked protests outside the hospital emergency room where the deputies were transported. The demonstrators screamed "we hope they die," the department said. Two people were arrested at the protest.
Anyone with information about the shooting or who may have witnessed the incident are asked to call the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
