Officer Fired Upon, Returns Fire

Los Angeles:  Gang Officer’s investigating possible gang activity were met with gunfire, resulting in an officer involved shooting.

On February 22, 2009, at around 8:00 p.m., Los Angeles Police Officer Michael Stewart, with eleven and a half years of service, and his partner, were patrolling in the area of St. Andrews Place and West Martin Luther King Boulevard.  The Officers saw several suspected gang members standing at the corner.  When the suspects saw the Officers, they ran in different directions.  

Officers followed one subject who ran into the parking lot of a motel located in the 1700 block of West Martin Luther King Boulevard.  Officer Stewart got out of the patrol car and walked into the parking lot where he encountered the subject who had drawn a pistol and began firing at him.  Stewart returned fire, striking the subject in the ankle.  The subject was taken into custody without further incident.  A loaded pistol used by the subject was recovered and taken into evidence.

The subject’s name is not being released because he is a minor.  He was treated for his injury at a local hospital and subsequently booked for Attempt Murder of a Police Officer, and is being held without bail.

Neither Officer was injured.

Force Investigation Division is handling the investigation.