Photos released by the Los Angeles Police Department detail just how close an officer was to being seriously injured or possibly killed during a gunfight with a fleeing suspect Tuesday, including bullet holes in the officer’s ballistic vest and patrol vehicle.
The dramatic shootout happened at the end of a pursuit Tuesday afternoon in Boyle Heights involving a suspect driving a pickup truck that was reported to have been stolen, according to the LAPD.
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.”…