A Los Angeles police officer was shot in the chest but was saved by his ballistic vest, and an allegedly armed suspect was also wounded Tuesday after a stolen vehicle pursuit ended in a gunfight in Boyle Heights. The incident began in South Los Angeles and concluded near Marietta and Garnet streets around 2:15 p.m., according to law enforcement sources.
The officer, whose name has not been released, was listed in stable condition after the bullet struck his protective vest, absorbing the force of the round. The suspect, who was also hit in the chest during the exchange of gunfire, was taken to a hospital; his condition remains unknown.
A gun was recovered at the scene, and investigators are working to determine the sequence of shots and whether the officer was struck by fire from the suspect or other officers.
LAPD Captain Mike Bland confirmed the officer is expected to recover but declined to specify where the officer was hit. Helicopter footage from KTLA showed a man lying on the ground, moving before officers with drawn weapons approached and apprehended him.
Paramedics were seen assisting the injured officer and removing a bloody male suspect in separate ambulances.
The investigation is ongoing, with evidence markers placed at the scene. The shooting underscores the dangers officers face during pursuits and the critical role of protective equipment in preventing fatalities.