Man Arrested For Allegedly Shooting 2 Deputies In Bellflower

BELLFLOWER (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Friday arrested a man accused of shooting two Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies in Bellflower.

SWAT officers captured the suspected gunman, Juan Martinez, 39, after firing tear gas into a house in the 9000 block of Mayne Street, Sheriff Jim McDonnell McDonnell said.

"This is an individual, who throughout the night last night, attempted to murder a number of our deputies," the sheriff said Friday.

The deputies were rushed to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, where both underwent surgery and are listed in critical condition. Doctors expect both to recover from their injuries.

Deputies were conducting a DUI checkpoint on Lakewood Boulevard shortly be 11 p.m. Thursday when Martinez refused to stop.

A motorcycle deputy followed the suspect and pulled him over on Lisa Avenue. That's when the suspect stepped out of his car and fired several rounds at the deputy, who fired back, sheriff's officials said.

Investigators said as a second group of deputies responded to the shots fired, the suspect shot at them too, injuring one.

A third group of deputies began chasing the suspect, who fired shots at them as well before running off.

"He was running this way with a pistol in his hand. I saw the pistol," one neighbor said.

A SWAT unit was sent to the scene, joining more than 40 patrol cars scouring Lakewood Boulevard between Alondra Boulevard and Flower Street, looking for the suspect.

They eventually found Martinez hiding inside a house and holding a hostage, who managed to escape unharmed.

SWAT deputies used tear gas to smoke him out and arrest him.

Martinez faces a long list of charges: "Many counts of attempted murder, kidnapping in the hostage taking and many, many others," the sheriff said.

Both injured deputies are in their 30's and have been with force for at least 10 years.