Los Angeles police officers shot in ‘ambush’

Two Los Angeles police officers are in critical condition after being shot in what police call an ambush.

Video of the incident shows a figure approaching the officers’ vehicle, before opening fire and fleeing.

Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva called the act “cowardly.” The suspect is still at large.

Nearly 40 American police officers died in the line of duty in 2020, FBI statistics show that eight of them were ambushed.

The protesters shouted slogans against the police and blocked the entrance to the emergency room where the two officers are being treated, police and witnesses said.

The agents involved have not been named, but have been described as a 31-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man.

“A deputy and a female deputy were ambushed while sitting in their patrol vehicle. They both sustained multiple gunshot wounds and are in critical condition. Both are currently undergoing surgery. The suspect is still at large,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff tweeted. .

“This is just a grim reminder that this is dangerous work. Actions, words have consequences, and our job doesn’t get any easier because people don’t like law enforcement,” Sheriff Villanueva said.

Sharing images of the incident, US President Donald Trump tweeted: “Animals to be beaten hard.”

He has made law and order a central part of his re-election bid.

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In response to the attack, California Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff said he was praying for the two officers.

“Every day, law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to protect our community,” he tweeted. “I hope that the perpetrator of this cowardly attack can be brought to justice quickly.”