Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Gunman Killed, Deputy Wounded in Compton Traffic Stop Shooting

A gunman believed to be a gang member was killed and a deputy was wounded in a shooting during a traffic stop in Compton, authorities said Thursday.

The shooting was reported at 11:40 p.m. Wednesday in the 900 block of North Santa Fe Avenue, said Deputy Trina Schrader of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.

Two Compton station deputies pulled over a white sedan with three people inside for traffic violations. One of the deputies opened one of the rear passenger doors, and the man sitting in the back seat pointed a handgun at one of the deputies and opened fire, sheriff's officials said.

The deputy returned fire and the gunman then fired on the second deputy, which is when a second deputy-involved shooting occurred, Schrader said.

The gunman and one of the deputies were wounded during the shootout and taken to hospitals, where the man was pronounced dead and the deputy was treated for his injuries and released, Schrader said.

The deputy suffered minor injuries in the incident, but a bullet proof vest was credited with saving his life, said Lt. Joe Mendoza of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The other two occupants of the vehicle, both women, were detained at the scene for questioning and were later released, sheriff's officials said. They were "acquaintances" of the man.

The gunman's firearm was recovered at the scene.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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