2 Wounded, Several Detained After Gun Battle, Police Pursuit In South LA

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Investigators are trying to piece together a chaotic series of events involving a gunfight and police pursuit in the Florence area of South Los Angeles early Wednesday morning. Two people were wounded and three suspects were detained.

The incident began at 12:38 a.m. when Los Angeles police came upon a shootout in progress in the area of West 87th Street and Broadway.

Police arrived on scene as gunfire was being exchanged in the street between several suspects, police said. At least one officer also opened fire.

At the scene, officers arrested the driver and passenger of a Mercedes Benz and also recovered a Glock 9mm handgun and a drum magazine from the car.

However, following the gun battle, a police pursuit ensued with a car containing three suspects. During the chase, two passengers bailed out of the car before the driver then crashed Slauson Avenue and San Pedro Street.

All three were taken into custody and a second gun was recovered.

"There were some people detained, we're still trying to figure out if they're victims or witnesses, what they saw, how where they involved, we're still trying to find out," LAPD Lt. Chris Ramirez told reporters.

Police later confirmed two people were taken to local hospital with gunshot wounds. Their conditions were not confirmed. No officers were hurt.

Detectives were investigating several different crime scenes. It's unknown if the victims were shot by officers or other suspects.

The circumstances of the initial shooting that prompted the callout were unclear.

The incident was not believed to be connected to the George Floyd protests or the looting which have been taking place across the region.