Gunman arrested after taking a hostage and shooting two sheriff’s deputies in Bellflower
One of two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies shot by a gunman during a wild foot chase across a residential neighborhood in Bellflower has been released from the hospital, officials said Sunday.
The other deputy is recovering from surgery and remains in serious condition, but officials say he is improving.
The accused gunman, Juan Martinez, was arrested after a six-hour standoff that began with a shooting in the 9000 block of Oak Street about 10:50 p.m. Thursday, the Sheriff’s Department said.
Deputies were operating a DUI checkpoint at Lakewood Boulevard and Oak Street, Capt. Christopher Reed said. One deputy on a motorcycle followed a vehicle through and pulled it over.
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When the car stopped, Martinez stepped out with a gun and opened fire, striking the deputy “multiple times,†then ran, officials said in a prepared statement. The deputy returned fire. Martinez was not injured.
As Martinez ran, more deputies closed in. A gunfight ensued, and a second deputy was shot, officials said. Martinez escaped again, and it was unclear whether he was wounded.
The second deputy shooting took place near Lisa and Laurel streets, Reed said.
A third shooting occurred as Martinez continued to flee, but no one was hit, authorities said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell announced at a news conference that a SWAT team used tear gas and forced its way into a guest home behind an apartment in the 9000 block of Mayne Street, where the gunman was holed up with a male hostage.
“This is an individual who throughout the night attempted to murder a number of our deputies,†McDonnell said.
Three people in the home in front of the guest house escaped unharmed, McDonnell said. The hostage escaped and was not harmed.
Martinez was booked on suspicion of multiple charges of attempted murder on a peace officer and kidnapping, sheriff’s officials said.
He is being held on $10-million bail.
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UPDATES:
6:20 p.m., June 25: This article was updated to reflect that one of the injured deputies was released from the hospital.
5:59 a.m, June 25: This article was updated with the status of the injured deputies’ conditions.
11:04 a.m., June 25: This article was updated with the status of the injured deputies’ conditions.
2:54 p.m.: This article was updated with the identity of the gunman.
7:35 a.m.: This article was updated with details of the shootings.
2:55 a.m.: This article was updated with details from the Sheriff’s Department.
2:32 a.m.: This article was updated with a tweet from the Sheriff’s Department.
2:10 a.m.: This article was updated with the deputies in stable condition.
12:27 a.m. June 24: This article was updated to reflect that both deputies were wounded by gunfire.
This article was originally posted at 11:58 p.m. June 23.
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