Suspect shot after highway patrol officer fired upon in LA

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities were searching for a suspect Tuesday after a California Highway Patrol officer was fired upon while driving in East Los Angeles, officials said.

A second suspect was shot and wounded when the officer and sheriff’s deputies returned fire shortly after 9 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The two men began shooting at the highway patrol car as the officer drove through an intersection, sheriff’s Lt. Patricia Thomas told reporters.

The officer bailed out of his car, returned fire and called for backup. Nearby sheriff’s deputies heard the gunshots and responded to assist, Thomas said.

“Once they got on scene, they also took gunfire and returned gunfire at two male suspects,” she said.

One suspect was struck and hospitalized in unknown condition. A weapon was recovered, sheriff’s officials said. A search was under way for the other man, who ran from the scene, according to officials.

No law enforcement officers were hurt. Television news video from the scene showed a highway patrol car with its rear window shattered.

The incident occurred near the interchange of State Route 60 and Interstate 710, about 8 miles (12 km) east of downtown Los Angeles.

Surface streets and some freeway on- and off-ramps were closed during the investigation, the highway patrol said.