NE L.A. neighborhood sealed off as police search for gunmen
1:29 PM, February 21, 2008
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A large portion of a Northeast L.A. neighborhood remains sealed off as police search for suspects who turned a traffic stop into a noon gun battle, according to LAPD Cmdr. Andy Smith.
At least one AK-47 assault rifle was fired and two men were wounded, police say. The Glendale Freeway, which was briefly shut down, is now open again, although the San Fernando Road exit remains closed.
A local elementary school has been put into lockdown. Police continue to search for at least one suspect, who they believe may be barricaded somewhere in the quarantined neighborhood.
--Veronique de Turenne
The LAPD and SWAT have surrounded an apartment complex northeast of the intersection of Drew St. and Estrara Ave. I found this by comparing a google map of the area with the streets mentioned and the online video.
Estara Ave & Drew St
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Posted by: Eric | February 21, 2008 at 01:47 PM
A friend and I were eating at El Pollo Loco on the corner of San Fernando & Fletcher. We counted 70 cop cars go by. It took a while before we could find out what was going on (over 90 mins). This was the first place we heard anything about it.
Posted by: John | February 21, 2008 at 02:41 PM
I hope the LAPD, Glendale PD and SWAT catches the rest of these punks!
Posted by: Greg | February 21, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Accually there are a few schools in the area on lockdown
Posted by: ann | February 21, 2008 at 02:57 PM
There were at least 5 cops cars at King Taco - eating not looking for a suspect.
Posted by: King Taco | February 21, 2008 at 03:05 PM
I just found this: http://www.dailynews.com/ci_8326094?source=rss
I lived on Andrita St. for about 10 years until I moved away a few years back.
From personal experience I can tell you that Drew St. has always been a hot zone where killings,drug dealing and other activities have always gone down...
Today's events come as no surprise. There are two schools 2 blocks east of there...Fletcher Dr. Elementary & Washington Irving Middle School.
There is nothing being reported on TV...That wouldn't be the case if it was Beverly Hills,now would it? I first found the story on Yahoo News, Local...and then on Google , reported by abc7...
Good luck to law enforcement in capturing and/or killing these suspects.
Posted by: th3 on3 | February 21, 2008 at 04:26 PM
I grew up in the 40's and 50's on Drew St. It was a wonderful family orientated neighborhood with no crime, nestled against the walls of Forest Lawn. My parents had moved from Ohio to California for health reasons. Drew St was their first home that they had purchased. They raised us six children there in a wonderful enviornment. In the 1970's my parents were forced out by the crime infested neighborhoods. we had gunshots through our living room windows. People sleeping on our front lawns. We were scared to drive by and see the old house for fear of being shot.
Thank you FBI and LAPD for restoring a somewhat liveable neighborhood
Suzanne Mestyanek Healy.
Posted by: Suzanne Mestyanek Healy | July 04, 2008 at 01:21 PM
In 1950 i lived at 3214 1/2 Drew St. and went to Irving Jr. Hi. Things then were very nice and safe. It is sad it has come to this.
Posted by: MYLA | July 04, 2008 at 11:43 PM