3 reputed gang members arrested after attack on off-duty LAX officer

Three suspected gang members were arrested after they allegedly opened fire on a car driven by an off-duty LAX airport police officer in unincorporated South Los Angeles, authorities said Monday.

The officer had stopped at an intersection in the 1600 block of East Firestone Boulevard on Sunday afternoon when another vehicle pulled alongside.

One of the men shouted at the officer before firing two shots into the vehicle. The officer, who was not identified, suffered cuts to his head from broken glass but was not hit by any of the rounds.

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies found the suspects' car five blocks away. The officer identified the men, whom sheriff's officials described as known gang members who lived in the area. Deputies also recovered a handgun.

Arrested on suspicion of attempted murder were  Efren Alcaraz, 24; Carlos Vasquez, 18; and Israel Garcia, 21, all from Los Angeles. The car allegedly used in the attack belonged to the mother of one of the suspects, authorities said.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Mike Parker said there did not appear to be any indication that the victim was targeted for being a police officer.

-- Andrew Blankstein

Comments

[Christopher R.]

Is this another hate crime?