Body camera footage released by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on Friday shows a suspect apparently opening fire on two officers with a machine gun during a routine traffic stop on July 3, ABC7 reported.
Police accused Malcolm Darnell Gass Jr. of firing at Officers Stephen Cartas and Joshua Rodney with an AR-style automatic rifle after officers attempted to stop his vehicle. ABC7.
The video shows officers pulling up behind Gus, before the suspect then stops the vehicle and appears to fire an automatic weapon at the officers before they exit their patrol car. (Related: Shocking video shows armed, suicidal man strip naked, run through street and open fire on police)
VIDEO: The Los Angeles Police Department has released new video footage confirming the arrest of a seven-time convicted felon for attempting to kill two officers during a traffic stop.
Footage released by the Los Angeles Police Department shows officers… pic.twitter.com/vVBKDRruxM
— Real News, No Bullshit (@NewsNotBs) July 21, 2024
Authorities allege Gus, a seven-time felon, opened fire on officers without warning. Los Angeles Times.
One of the officers appeared to return fire before the suspect fled, managing to elude police pursuit, ABC7 reported.
According to ABC7, the Los Angeles Police Department said one officer suffered two abrasions to the head and two cuts from broken glass. Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) personnel transported the two officers to a local hospital where they were treated and released the following morning.
“This random attack is a stark reminder of the dangers our police officers face,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a press release obtained by the Los Angeles Times. “This act of violence is not only an attack on police officers, but also an attack on the values of safety and justice in our community.”
Police arrested Gus on July 12 and charged him with attempted murder and other charges related to firing an automatic rifle, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Gass, who has pleaded not guilty, has an extensive criminal record, including three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, the Los Angeles Times reported. Records show Gass received two prison sentences of two years each in March 2021 for cases related to firearm possession and drug possession.
