Off-Duty LAPD Officer Witnesses Fatal Drive-By Shooting In San Pedro, Exchanges Gunfire With Suspect
SAN PEDRO (CBSLA.com) — An off-duty police officer in San Pedro was fired at but not injured today by a person police believe was involved in an earlier fatal drive-by shooting.
The off-duty officer, in his own personal vehicle, witnessed a drive-by shooting in the area of 12th and Gaffey Street at about 2:15 a.m, where the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Officer Mike Lopez of the LAPD's Media Relations Section.
Paramedics were dispatched nearby in the 1100 block of Gaffey Street on a reported shooting call, but transported no one to any area hospital, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The officer followed the suspect, while trying to call 911 from his vehicle.
The suspect pulled over in his SUV near the area of Santa Cruz Street and Cabrillo Avenue, got out of the SUV and fired shots at the off-duty officer -- who was still in his vehicle, Lopez said.
The officer got out of his vehicle and returned fire.
It was unknown if the suspect, who drove away westbound on Santa Cruz Street, was struck by gunfire, Lopez said.
Anyone with more information about the shootings is asked to call police at (310) 726-7700.
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