LOS ANGELES — Two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were rushed to the hospital late Saturday with critical injuries after being shot in Compton in an apparent ambush, authorities said.
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Police tape.
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The incident occurred about 7 p.m. PT at the Metro Blue Line station in Compton, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said during a news conference. Villanueva added that both deputies are “critically injured” after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.
The injured deputies, a 31-year-old female and a 24-year-old male, were able to radio for help, he said. Villanueva, whose department has come under fire during recent protests over racial unrest, expressed frustration over anti-police sentiment as he urged people to pray for the officers.
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“Every week across the nation someone is losing their life in the line of duty,” Villanueva said. “This is just another grim reminder of that.”
The Sheriff’s Department released footage of the incident that appeared to show an individual walking up to a parked patrol car and opening fire.
Both the deputies graduated from the academy 14 months ago, Villanueva said.
President Donald Trump later reacted to the video on Twitter, commenting: “Animals that must be hit hard!”
The shooting suspect remains at large, authorities say.
Capt. Kent Wegener said officers were blanketing the area in search of a suspect seen on video opening fire with a pistol. “We have a very. very generic description,” he said.
Rep. Adam Schiff D-Calif., took to Twitter and offered his prayers for the two deputies.
“Every day, law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to protect our community,” Schiff tweeted. “I hope the perpetrator of this cowardly attack can be quickly brought to justice.”
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Contributing: The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies ambushed in patrol car, authorities say; suspect at large
