'Long Road To Recovery' For Officer Shot Multiple Times During Boyle Heights Traffic Stop

BOYLE HEIGHTS (CBSLA) — Authorities on Sunday said an officer who was shot while on duty in South LA would have a long road to recovery.

The shooter who fired on police was also wounded. That suspect and the officer were both taken to County-USC Medical.

Another suspect remains at large, police said.

The incident occurred during a traffic stop in Boyle Heights. After the driver got out and fled the location, a man opened fire on two officers setting off a gun battle. The other office was unhurt, authorities said.

The wounded officer and his partner are members of the LAPD – Newton Division Gang Enforcement Unit. The incident unfolded late Saturday evening after the officers pulled over a vehicle in the area of 52nd Street and Long Beach Avenue.

The wounded officer was struck multiple times by gunfire. At last word, he had undergone surgery and was said to be in critical but stable condition.

The driver of the vehicle remains at large and police are looking to question him.

Police remained tight-lipped about the shooting.

CBS2's Greg Mills said the officer is allegedly in a coma. His family asked for no visitors.

"Still a long road to recovery but the family is hopeful he will make a full one," reported Tina Patel.

When news of the shooting broke, officers from several jurisdictions showed up at the hospital to lend support.

"I am grateful that the immediate response of other officers on scene transported our wounded officer here to USC Medical Center and rendered life-saving treatment that saved his life," said LAPD Chief Michel Moore.

A surgeon reportedly told the chief that if officers hadn't rushed the wounded officer to the hospital he most likely wouldn't have survived.

The extent of the suspect's injuries was not immediately clear.