Attempted Murder of Police Officers

Los Angeles: Detectives are investigating an attempted murder of police officers that occurred last night in Northeast Area.

On Sunday, June 17, 2007, around 2:15 a.m., police were patrolling a known gang area in the vicinity of Weldon Avenue and Drew Street. As officers drove west on Weldon approaching Drew, they heard several rounds of semi-automatic gunfire. Police stopped their marked police car on Weldon and saw the suspects, 3 male Hispanic gang members with shaved heads, in their late teens to early 20s, drive by in a small black 4-door vehicle. As the suspects drove past, they fired several rounds in the officers’ direction. Police Officer II Richard Priest, 33, five years with the department, returned fire. The suspects sped away.

A perimeter was immediately established and a search for the suspects and their vehicle conducted. Neither the suspects nor the vehicle was located.

No officers were injured. The suspects remain outstanding. Force Investigation Division personnel responded to the scene and are conducting the OIS investigation. Robbery Homicide is investigating the attempted murder of police officers.

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