by Jack
Two Los Angeles police officers are in a critical condition after being shot in the face and head in what police are calling an ambush.
Video of the incident shows a figure approach the officers’ vehicle, before opening fire and running away. If the press/police really wanted the citizens to be helpful, they could described what that figure looked like, right?
To me it looks like he is wearing black baggie shorts worn low, a white tee shirt under a light jacket or hoody. He appears to be mid teens, not a large person, maybe around 5-6 to 5-9, about 130-150. Shoes appear black worn with black socks. The weapon appears to be a full sized semi-auto, unknown make or caliber. He appears dark, possibly black or Hispanic. Given the location (Compton), he’s more likely black, and his clothing and demeanor says gang affiliated.
The deputies that were shot had been on about 14 months. This makes them both rookies. Sadly they did not react to a potential danger. They missed the big red flag! They did not maintain proper situational awareness which factored into their serious injuries. No person should ever be allowed to walk up on a patrol vehicle like that…especially a young black male in this crime ridden neighborhood and in this climate of black violence. There’s no excuse for that.
Their lack of awareness was a major rookie mistake and they paid dearly. As soon as they saw the suspect approaching in their rear view mirror, that driver should have taken the initiative. He should have been out of that vehicle! He or she, should have remained out until the suspect had cleared the area. In that way he could have reacted to cover his seated passenger, if the worst happened. As it was, both officers were trapped in their own vehicle. The driver or the passenger being outside the patrol car might have stopped the shooting from happening in the first place.
Situational awareness folks, you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva called the act “cowardly”. The suspect remains at large.
Almost 40 US police officers were killed in the line of duty in 2020, FBI statistics show – eight of them were victims of an ambush.
Protesters shouted, “We hope they die!”, “We hope they die!”, as they blocked the entrance to the emergency room where the two officers were being treated, police and witnesses said.
Two people were arrested, including an NPR journalist who police said tried to interfere with the arrest of the other detainee and did not identify herself as a member of the press. The reporter, Josie Huang-NPR, tweeted she had “thoughts and videos” to share, while her employer, NPR, said they were “appalled” by her arrest. Was that [appalled] as in appalled that she interfered with police? Or appalled that she wasn’t treated like she was above the law?
Details of her arrest were not available in this particular story, but I found them in another. It read: “A male adult protester refused to comply and cooperate,” the department said in a statement. “During his arrest, a struggle ensued at which time a female adult ran towards the deputies, ignored repeated commands to stay back as they struggled with the male and interfered with the arrest. The woman, later identified as a member of the press, did not identify herself as a member of the media and later said she did not have proper press credentials, the statement said.”
The (victim) officers involved in the shooting have not been named, but have been described as a 31-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man.
“One male deputy and one female deputy were ambushed as they sat in their patrol vehicle. Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds and are in critical condition. They are both currently undergoing surgery. The suspect is still at large,” LA County Sheriffs tweeted.
“This is just a somber reminder that this is a dangerous job. Actions and words have consequences and our job does not get easier because people don’t like law enforcement,” Sheriff Villanueva said.
Both candidates in this year’s presidential election weighed in on the shooting.
Sharing the footage of the incident, US President Donald Trump, tweeted: “Animals that must be hit hard.”
His Democratic rival, Joe Biden, said he was praying the officers recovery. (I am praying for that too, but I am also praying that the suspect will be caught.
“This cold-blooded shooting is unconscionable and the perpetrator must be brought to justice,” he tweeted. “Violence of any kind is wrong; those who commit it should be caught and punished.”
I bet that shooter doesn’t know what the word “unconscionable” means. But, he sure knows what “animals must be hit hard” means. Trump just won my vote.