A man was shot in a running gun battle with police after a traffic stop in a Pasadena neighborhood Friday morning, while two other people in the car got away, sheriff's officials said.
Officers had pulled the car over just after 9 a.m. at Buckeye Street and Los Robles Avenue when a passenger armed with a gun ran off and police gave chase, according to Lt. Steve Jauch of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
"They saw a vehicle they considered suspicious," said Jauch. "I do not know their exact reason for their stop."
During an exchange of gunfire with an officer, the alleged gunman was shot in his upper body, said sheriff's officials at the scene. Jauch said the initial investigation confirmed the suspect fired first at officers.
"Under five seconds, just rapid gunfire, and then nothing. It was quiet. Then I heard sirens," said Pasadena resident Mike Mueller.
A witness who took cell phone video said he saw police open fire on the suspect, shooting him in the back. Authorities say they have contacted the individual who took the video.
The man was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Investigators are refusing to say how many times the man was shot.
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No officers were hurt.
Police were trying to track down the driver and the other passenger, who drove off and abandoned the car. The car, a silver Mustang, was found abandoned a few blocks away from the scene where the suspect's handgun was also recovered.
