Miles of Woodland Hills closed off as police search for suspect in shooting near school [Updated]

As Los Angeles police scoured the neighborhoods near El Camino Real High School where an LAUSD police officer was shot Wednesday, more details were emerging about the circumstances leading up to the incident. The officer shot has been identified as Jeffrey Stenroos, an eight-year veteran of the LAUSD police force, according to LAUSD police Chief Steve Zipperman.

Sources familiar with the case said the Stenroos spotted the suspect on the east side of the high school. He appeared to be involved in some kind of illegal activity, which may have included breaking into cars, sources said. The officer confronted the suspect at Manton Avenue and Burbank Boulevard, just east of the campus.

During that confrontation, which occurred at about 11:45 a.m., the suspect fired at least one round.

"He was hit once in the chest," Zipperman said.

The officer was wearing a bullet-resistant vest, which absorbed the round and possibly saved the officer's life, law-enforcement officials said.

[Updated at 1:45 p.m.: LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said, "The suspect fired multiple rounds in the officer's direction, striking the officer once in the chest." Beck said the officer fell backwards and hit his head, but was able to stumble back to his patrol car, where a Good Samaritan assisted him with making a radio call to dispatch to report that the officer was injured.

"We have over 350 Los Angeles police officers, sheriff's deputies, Highway Patrol and school police at the scene," Beck said.]

Doctors at Northridge Hospital Medical Center said he was in stable condition having suffered bruising to his chest as well as injuries he received when he fell backward.

Based on a preliminary assessment at the scene, it did not appear that the officer returned fire, sources said.

The suspect immediately fled the scene. LAPD set up a massive perimeter that stretched for dozens of blocks -- the Ventura Freeway on the south, Woodlake Avenue to the east, Valley Circle on the west and Burbank Boulevard on the north.

Sources described the suspect as a white man in his 40s wearing blue jeans and a bomber jacket who fled the scene through an alley. He has long, brown hair. He was last seen running east on Burbank Boulevard.

Police brought in resources from across the Valley and declared a citywide tactical alert, which means that officers from the prior shift can be held over as new officers come on duty. The SWAT team, canine units, helicopters and teams from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department were all deployed.

El Camino High was immediately placed on lockdown as police searched for the gunman. In addition to the high school, Miguel Leonis Continuation School, Calabash Elementary, Pomelo Elementary, Lockhurst Elementary, Haynes Elementary, Welby Way Elementary School, Woodlake Elementary School and Hale Middle School are all locked down, said Gayle Pollard-Terry, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

A lockdown typically means students and staff members are not allowed to leave or enter the campus.

RELATED:

Several schools on lockdown in wake of shooting near El Camino Real High

Officers search for gunman in shooting outside El Camino Real High School

LAUSD police officer shot near El Camino Real High School

-- Andrew Blankstein and Richard Winton

Map: Shows location of original police perimeter in blue and the expanded perimeter in purple, with nearby schools on lockdown. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Gabriel]

Bunch of savages in this town...

[WTF!]

What?! ANOTHER Shooting?....What is wrong with these mental people? Thank you, to the officer and ALL Police Officers out there keping us safe! if he wouldn't have gotten shot, perhaps someone else with out a protective vest would have been the target!

[Cynic]

Sounds like Zipperman has lost control of the entire district!

[Joshua Parzivand]

Officer Stenroos worked at my school and he is one of the chillest officers you'll ever meet. I hope he is ok.

[Kiki]

I am glad he is okay. It just shows we still have good neighbors out there. I know my child is safe there. She sent me a text as soon as the lockdown started. Her teacher told all the students to send a text only and let their parents know they are fine. LAUSD teachers are trained for this. At least I know where my child is, the teacher was completely prepared. The teacher had water and granola bars for the kids. This is very helpful since the lockdown started before lunch.

[Nova yos Galen]

Thank God the assailant wasn't using armor-piercing bullets.

Steve Lopez wrote a good piece today about introducing a note of sanity to the gun ownership debate. When are the gun lobbyists and the NRA going to acknowledge that there needs to be some compromise on guns?

[Brad Hasely]

This is another reminder to go out and vote with your wallet. Buy guns and ammunition. In fact buying 50 rounds of ammo every payday will make a statement to the Fabian Socialist who seek to destroy the USA!

[Common Sense]

350 officers deployed for this incident, really!? These officers are just in each others' way. At their hourly rates, I reckon this tactical effort will cost taxpayers a good $200K. As usual, criminals claim multiple victims - not the least of which is the taxpayer.

[Andrew]

Common Sense you're an idiot

[anonymouse]

Common Sense--how much would the lawsuit cost when someone got shot?

There's a man loose with a gun. Better too much law enforcement then not enough.

[Fred]

Brad Hasely - your arguments completely pull the rug out from any understanding I have for gun owners - I read your comment as everyone should go out and arm themselves to the teeth without any training whatsoever. I have no problem with responsible gun owners having them - I do have a problem with every nut job (or even myself) having one who will either 1) shoot themselves in the foot or neighbor in the head like that kid at school 2) shoot a loved one in an argument 3) have a kid get a hold of it and shoot someone or 4) get their guns stolen and subsequently used in a crime...... jeesh.

[Sherlock]

dear common sense,
I hope you approve what you just said when someone is entering your home with a gun and there's no 350 officers looking for a suspect with a lethal weapon and probably mind.

[Student]

Worst time of my life during lockdown. No Food, No Water, And sitting in the class for a long as time. Than when we finally got out about 7 hours later blocked off my only way home. Worst day of school ever. Worst part was watching the teachers eat a bag of doriots while we sat in the gym doing nothing (atleast they gave us a few basketballs for some amusment). Heard that some students stuck in classrooms had to pee in buckets (haha). good thing i was in P.E. I hate lockdowns. Most stupidiest things ever. Had to wait about an hour after we got locked out to be able to walk to my house.