Voice Of Post

LAPD officers shot, Los Angeles police are hunting for gunmen who shot at two plainclothes officers Sunday in the intersection where LAPD cops shot and killed an unarmed black man last year, officials said.

The two unnamed cops sustained minor injuries during the “targeted” shootout at the corner of 65th St. and Broadway, Det. Meghan Aguilar told the Los Angeles Times,

That intersection is where Ezell Ford was shot and killed last year, CBS Los Angeles reported. The unarmed diagnosed schizophrenic was cooperating with officers and was on the ground when he was shot last August, his family said.

Ford's death triggered racially charged tension in the community. Protesters demanded justice for the 25-year-old, and a group of rappers threatened to avenge the shooting.

Police said the two cops were driving in an unmarked police car when a group of men shot at them around 5:45 p.m. Sunday. The cops returned fire. It’s not clear if the two officers were injured by bullets or debris, but both cops are expected to be OK.

“I heard like 20 shots, and then a bunch of police sirens,” 54-year-old Junior Moore, who was eating at a nearby burger joint, told the Los Angeles Times.Police detained several people at the scene, but they are still hunting for two possible gunmen. They are not sure if any of the suspects were injured in the shootout.It’s not clear if the Sunday shooting and that of Ford are linked.

Police have not released a motive, and Aguilar said the investigation is still in its preliminary stage.

LAPD officers shot, Two plainclothes Los Angeles police officers were shot at Sunday evening while driving through a South L.A. neighborhood, prompting an exchange of gunfire that caused several suspects to scatter, authorities said.

The officers were fired upon near 65th Street and Broadway in the Florence neighborhood just before 5:45 p.m., Det. Meghan Aguilar said. The officers then returned fire.Aguilar said the officers, assigned to the 77th Street Division narcotics section, were driving in an unmarked police car. She said there was no indication they were caught in crossfire between rival groups but rather believed the shots were meant for them.

"Of course, because it's an active scene, that's our preliminary investigation," she said. "There's going to be several thorough interviews of the officers. But right now they believe they were the target."

Both officers sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

Police apprehended several people at the scene, and the search continues for two others in the neighborhood, she said. The LAPD's SWAT unit was on scene along with dozens of officers.

A large section of the neighborhood was cordoned off as police conducted a block-to-block search assisted by a K-9 unit.

"We are asking the public to shelter in place and notify police if they see any unusual activity in their houses or yards," Aguilar said.

Junior Moore, 54, said he was eating at Hercules Burgers at Broadway and Gage Avenue when the gunfire erupted.

“I heard like 20 shots, and then a bunch of police sirens,” Moore said.

Priscilla Gutierrez, 17, lives two blocks from where the shooting occurred.

She was on her way home from dinner with her mother and sister when they saw police tape blocking off their street.

Police told them it could take up to eight hours before they'd be allowed to return home.

The family was among about 50 residents clustered behind police tape at Gage and Broadway.

Neighbors snapped photos as dozens of police cars arrived on scene and officers brought out SWAT gear, including long black rifles.

They watched as three large armored SWAT vehicles entered the crime scene.

Gutierrez, who moved to the neighborhood two weeks ago, said she has heard gunfire erupt in the blocks near her house multiple times since Friday.

"We've been hearing gunshots," she said. "We don't go outside."

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.