Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Shooting Prompts 210 Freeway Closure

More than 300 LAPD police officers, LA County Sheriff's deputies and CHP officers are searching for an armed parolee with two strikes who shot a patrole agent in the Department of Corrections in the face.

UPDATE 6:05 p.m.: Traffic is at a halt on the westbound Foothill (210) Freeway while a multi-agency law enforcement Special Weapons and Tactics unit search in the dark for a man who allegedly shot a parole agent in the face. 

The search could be more advantageous for law enforcement in the dark, Lt. Eddie Hernandez told news media.  

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Law enforcement believes the patrolee suspect who allegedly shot a patrol agent in the face could be armed with a rifle, according to NBC4. 

Find out what's happening in Montrose-La Crescentawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There are two nearby schools that are on lockdown because of the containment and suspect search, Lt. Eddie Hernandez said. 

Police are developing a plan to evacuate about 166 staff members and students at Delphi Academy, Hernandez said. These people will be taken to Sizzler, at 10401 Sunland Blvd., east of the Foothill (210) Freeway.  

Find out what's happening in Montrose-La Crescentawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

UDPATE 4:25 p.m.: A shooting in Lake View Terrace prompted officers to close the westbound Foothill (210) Freeway to the northbound Glendale (2) Freeway through Sunland, Tujunga, Montrose, La Crescenta, La Canada Flintridge and Glendale. 

Agents from the California Parole Apprehension Team - an agency that conducts search warrants looking for parolees at large - were looking for a two-strike offender from the California Department of Corrections when the parolee allegedly opened fire, Neiman said. 

The officer sustained a gunshot to face at the one-story ranch-style property, LAPD's Lt. Andy Neiman said. At this time he is listed in serious but stable condition and is expected to survive. 

The suspect is described as 45-years-old, wanted in connections with multiple previous violations and wanted for parole violations, Neiman said.

"Officers have not made contact with the suspect," Neiman said "At this point we do not believe he is out on the loose and we do believe he is contained."  

"He is a violent criminal," LAPD's Lt. Andy Neiman said.

The parolee allegedly recognized parole agent when he opened fire, KCAL9 reported. Officials are unsure if he lives at the location and if other people are inside. 
LAPD has issued a tactical alert, meaning no officers can leave their duties or change shifts during the suspect search, according to news reports. More than 300 patrol cars are at the search location near Osborne Street.  

Law enforcement set a nearly 3-mile perimeter during the search. 

"This is a very unique area," Neiman said. "There are a lot of large properties in this area." 

The Foothill (210) Freeway is closed between Sunland and the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway, according to LAPD's Foothill Station. 

Officials urge people to avoid the area and report any suspicious activity by calling 911. 

2:36 p.m.: A suspect search is underway for an armed parolee who shot and injured a parole officer during a state investigation, a watch commander at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station told Patch. 

The suspect is on foot in a contained area near the Foothill (210) Freeway, near Foothill Boulevard, in Lake View Terrace, according to KCAL9 broadcast reports

The shooting happened about 1:20 p.m. in the 10600 block of Foothill Boulevard, according to KCAL9. 

A suspect description is not immediately available, however, he could be shot and injured, KCAL9 reported. He was spotted injured, wandering near trailer park homes adjacent to the freeway. 

Nearby Delphi Academy is on lockdown during the investigation. Both Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies from the Crescenta Valley Station are looking for the suspect. 

A Sigalert is issued along the Foothill (210) Freeway between Sunland and Foothill boulevards until further notice, the California Highway Patrol reported

California Highway Patrol is diverting westbound Foothill (210) Freeway traffic at Sunland Boulevard, officials said. 

Foothill Boulevard is closed between Osborne Boulevard and Wheatland, Neiman said.  

Check back with Patch for more updates on this breaking news story.


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