A Los Angeles police officer shot in the chest during a gunfight at the end of a pursuit is expected to survive, while the suspect, who was also struck by gunfire, remains in critical condition.
The dramatic June 9 incident began when officers with the Los Angeles Police Department initiated a pursuit in Boyle Heights involving a pickup truck reported stolen.
Sky5’s Gil Leyvas was over the scene at 1173 S. Marietta St. just before 2:30 p.m. when the driver crashed the truck and attempted to flee on foot, reportedly shooting at officers, who immediately returned fire.
“One officer was struck in the chest at least once,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters at the scene. “Thankfully, he had a ballistic vest on, which saved his life.”
Aerial footage showed the suspect lying on the ground and moving before officers took him into custody.
Residents who witnessed the violence said the sound of gunfire shattered an otherwise ordinary afternoon.
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LAPD officers respond after a pursuit ended in Los Angeles County on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (KTLA) -
Sky5 was over the termination of a police chase in Los Angeles County on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (KTLA) -
A gun was found following an LAPD pursuit of a suspect in a stolen vehicle on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (KTLA) -
A suspect was shot by police following a pursuit that ended in Boyle Heights on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (KTLA
“I was listening to music, then next thing I hear is bop, bop, bop,” a resident identified only as Lexandro, who lives nearby, told KTLA. “There were like five cops on top of one person to arrest him.”
McDonnell said the outcome could have been far worse.
“Looking at the suspect’s actions, he was firing that gun,” the chief said. “Anybody in the community could have been taken out by his actions. We are thankful we ended up in the situation we are in.”
Both the suspect and the officer were rushed to nearby hospitals.
While investigators cordoned off the area and worked to gather evidence, video showed police cruisers riddled with bullet holes and evidence markers scattered across the roadway.
The suspect, who has not been identified, is expected to face multiple felony charges.
