Gunman Opens Fire in LAPD Station

At around 8 p.m. on Monday night, a man walked into the lobby of the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Traffic Division and opened fired with a semi-automatic handgun. One officer was shot seven times but managed to survive the shooting.

At around 8 p.m. on Monday night, a man walked into the lobby of the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Traffic Division and opened fired with a semi-automatic handgun. One officer was shot seven times but managed to survive the shooting.

Just left our #LAPD officer's bedside at the hospital. Two things saved his life: #bodyarmor & #determination. Courageous will to survive.

— Chief Charlie Beck (@LAPDChiefBeck) April 8, 2014

According to LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, the alleged gunman began speaking to two officers, and then pulled out the gun and began shooting. The officer who was shot seven times was hit in his bulletproof vest three times and in his extremities four times. Both of the officers who had been speaking with the gunman returned fire, wounding the assailant, who was taken to the hospital for surgery.

One witness attending a community meeting in the building said that as many as 20 rounds had been fired. Only two victims were identified, presumably the suspect and the police officer.

Last June, a still-unidentified gunman fired upon two officers at the same station.