The man suspected of firing a fully automatic weapon at Los Angeles Police Department officers during a traffic stop earlier this month has been arrested. KTLA reports that the incident occurred on the evening of July 3, when a white Chevrolet sedan was pulled over at the corner of Broadway and Rosecrans Avenue in South L.A. Before the officers could step out of their patrol vehicle, the driver reportedly opened fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
As per the release from the Los Angeles Police Department, the suspect's vehicle initiated a flight but abruptly stopped north of Rosecrans Avenue along Broadway. The exchange of gunfire resulted in two officers being struck by glass fragments, with one officer suffering two grazes to the head. Hoodline adds that the injured officers were taken to a hospital and released the following day in stable condition.
After briefly eluding the authorities in the ensuing chase that ended near 135th Street and Broadway, the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Malcolm Guss Jr., was apprehended on Friday. He was booked on $2 million bail for attempted murder among other charges, tells CBS Los Angeles. The officers had attempted to catch up to the suspect's vehicle but lost sight of it after about 200 yards, according to the same source.
Investigators subsequently located and seized both the suspected firearm involved in the shooting and the Chevrolet sedan. The officer involved in returning fire during the incident has been identified as Police Officer II Joshua Rodney of the Southeast Area division, according to statements obtained by KTLA. The ongoing investigation has turned up numerous rifle casings, and authorities are continuing to examine body-worn and other available video evidence.
Anyone with information related to the officer-involved shooting is encouraged to reach out to the LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division. Confirmation of the next court date for Guss Jr. has not been made available at this time.
