Los Angeles: On Friday, November 22, 2002, at approximately 8:25 p.m., five LAPD officers assigned to the 77^th Street Area Special Enforcement Unit, were on patrol as an Area gang detail unit, in response to gang related crime activity in the vicinity of 80^th Street and Normandie Avenue.

Investigating a known area for criminal activity, the officers responded to an apartment complex located on the 1400 block of west 80^th street, to investigate gang-related crimes. The officers exited their vehicles and proceeded on foot to the rear of the apartment complex, an adjacent area that consists of an apartment resident carport.

Approaching the rear of the multi-unit building, the officers observed 18 year-old Marcus Gibson, armed with a blue steel revolver in his hand, flee on foot to the front of the apartment complex. As two officers pursued Gibson on foot east on 80^th Street, Gibson turned and pointed his revolver at one of the officers. In fear of his life, the officer fired one round at Gibson, striking him in the right arm. Gibson was taken into custody without further incident. Officers recovered a loaded .44 magnum revolver. Gibson was transported to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center for medical treatment and was subsequently booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer. Robbery-Homicide Division is conducting the criminal investigation.

For further information, contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586. This press release was prepared by Officer Jack Richter, Media relations Section.