Gang Members Shoot at Officers During Pursuit

Los Angeles: For the second time in less than one week, LAPD officers were shot at by gang members when the officers tried to stop a driver on suspicion of drunk driving. The driver, 24-year-old Brandan Dixon and his 24-year-old passenger, Troy Dyer, were arrested for attempted murder on police officers after their capture near 75th Street and Figueroa Street.
The incident began, March 13, 2005, at around 11:20 PM, when two officers assigned to Southwest Police station noticed a green Hyundai driving erratically near 38th Street and Vernon Avenue in Los Angeles. The driver, Dixon, refused to pull over, and the officers went in pursuit.
Near Slauson Avenue, Dyer leaned out the passenger window and fired gun bursts at the pursuing officers, who took evasive action, but continued to pursue the Hyundai. Dyer fired at the officers at least two more times during the pursuit. Officers did not return fire.
The pursuit ended at 75th Street between Figueroa Street and Hoover Street when Dixon and Dyer abandoned the car and ran. Officers quickly set up an perimeter and later captured the suspects with the assistance of a K-9 handler and his dog. Despite a careful search, no weapon was recovered; however, detectives did retrieve spent casings and live rounds along the route of the pursuit. The ammunition was consistent with that used by semi-automatic assault-type weapons.
No police officers or innocent bystanders were injured, and no damage to police cars from bullets was reported.
Dixon and Dyer are both members of a local street gang.
This shooting is the fourth recent incident in which LAPD officers have been fired upon.
Anyone with information is asked to call Robbery Homicide Division at 213-485-2511. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).
This news release was prepared by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section. For questions please call 213-485-3586.