LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- Los Angeles police shot and killed one man and wounded another near Glassell Park in the wake of a gang-related drive-by shooting that injured a man who was carrying a 2-year-old child when the gunfire erupted, authorities said.
The child was not injured.
The officer-involved shooting occurred shortly after noon at Estara Avenue and Drew Street, said Los Angeles police Officer Kate Lopez of the media relations office. No officers were injured, she said.
``What we do know is that three suspects exited that car -- all three with firearms,'' said Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz. ``At least two of them fired at the officers, possibly three fired at the officers. The officers fired back, striking two of the suspects. One expired at the scene. One was wounded and has been transported to a local hospital. Another, we're told, fled on foot, and we believe the driver fled in his vehicle.''
According to police, gang violence has erupted in the area in the past month, prompting additionl resources to be assigned to the area.
``Just before noon today, there was a shooting about 10 to 15 blocks from here,'' LAPD Assistant Chief Jim McDonald told reporters at the scene. ``At that location, there was a man walking down the street carrying a 2-year- old child. The suspects in this vehicle drove by -- we believe it was this vehicle -- drove by, shot the victim in this case a number of times. The victim went down at the scene, dropped the baby. Someone else came along and picked up the baby.''
The baby, who was not shot, was later found at a hospital, police said. No information was available on the condition of the man who was shot.
``The vehicle then left that area and went around the corner and engaged in a shooting with another vehicle. We are still looking for further information on that shooting,'' McDonald said.
According to Chief William Bratton, officers assigned to the area came by anticipating the suspects would return to the neighborhood, which he called the ``heart and soul of the Avenues gang.''
McDonald said the suspects did return.
``The officers then encountered the suspects. The suspects ... got out of the vehicle, immediately opened fire on the police car and the officers,'' McDonald said.
Police said the officers returned fire, killing one suspect. A second suspect fired at officers as he ran from the area. Police shot that suspect, who survived and was taken to a hospital.
A third suspect ran from the scene, and was believed to have barricaded himself in an apartment buidling in the area. He was arrested shortly after 5 p.m., according to ABC7.
A fourth suspect, the driver of the vehicle, left the scene and was still being sought.
``Fortunately our officers are the ones left standing after that shooting,'' Bratton said.
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