2 deputies wounded at shooting in East Los Angeles, 1 suspect killed

(FOX 11/CNS) - Two deputies were hospitalized Thursday with wounds they suffered in a gun battle that killed a suspect at a park in East Los Angeles.

The shooting occurred about 6:20 p.m. Wednesday at Ruben F. Salazar Park at 3864 Whittier Boulevard, said Deputy Marvin Crowder of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Investigators have learned East Los Angeles Station deputies responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call at Sixth Street and Bonnie Beach Place and observed, then followed a suspect vehicle, which fled into Salazar Park and came to an abrupt stop, he said. At least one suspect exited the vehicle and opened fire on deputies, Crowder said.

The deputies were hit and went down, he said.

Additional deputies responded and engaged the suspects and a deputy-involved shooting took place, said Crowder.

Deputies placed the wounded deputies in sheriff's department vehicles and rushed them to a hospital, news outlets reported.

"We're very fortunate that they're in serious but stable condition,'' Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said outside LAC+USC Medical Center. ``This could have ended up very differently. Both are seasoned deputies with over 10 years on the job. I wouldn't want to go into the details of the injuries, other than they were shot in the upper body. They're in good hands...at this hospital.''

McDonnell met with family members of the wounded deputies at the hospital, according to Nicole Nishida, the sheriff's department's public information officer.

Another suspect was wounded and taken to a hospital, where his condition was unknown. It was unclear if he was wounded in the shooting at the park.

A third suspect was also arrested, Crowder said.

McDonnell also asked for anyone with information about the shooting to talk with detectives.

"If people do not come forward, then that empowers people who are willing to do these kinds of acts of senseless violence to continue to do those,'' McDonnell said.

McDonnell expressed his thanks to other members of law enforcement for their support.

"LAPD reached out right away to see if they could be helpful,'' McDonnell said. ``The way the situation played out we're good at this point, but we certainly appreciate the thoughts and the prayers and the reach-out that we've gotten from so many.''

Sheriff's homicide detectives asked anyone with any information regarding the incident to call them at (323) 890-5500.

The shooting occurred a little after 6:35 p.m. at Ruben F. Salazar Park located at 3864 Whittier Blvd.

The shooting followed a chase of a BMW, news outlets reported.

McDonnell met with family members of the wounded deputies at LAC+USC Medical Center, according to Nicole Nishida, the public information officer for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

McDonnell also expressed his thanks to other members of law enforcement for their support.

Sheriff's homicide detectives asked anyone with any information regarding the incident to call them at (323) 890-5500.