Undercover LAPD Officer Shot in the Leg

An undercover officer was shot in the leg Thursday morning while working on a narcotics investigation in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles. 

The shooting occurred around 3:00 a.m. near the intersection of Virgil Avenue and Fourth Street, said Sgt. Dominic Counts of the Los Angeles Police Department's Olympic Station. Shots were fired from a gunman in a car officers were following, causing the graze leg wound.

Two officers were in the vehicle as they followed an SUV containing at least two suspects in the area of Fourth Street and Virgil Avenue, said Counts, also adding that the officer shot was believed to be at the wheel when hit.

Counts said the officers had lost sight of the SUV and were making a U-turn when the shooting occurred. One suspect fired a bullet into the driver's side door of the police vehicle, grazing the officer's left leg, said Counts. He said the officers did not return fire.

Paramedics arrived at the scene to treat the injured officer, where he was quickly released. Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman Tenesha Dobine says the wound was minor. Shortly after, the suspect vehicle was found abandoned near the shooting, said Counts.

LAPD were searching for the gunman and his accomplice in the area. About 20 people have been detained as possible witnesses, and were bused in to a police station for further questioning.