Gunman opens fire on Downey police officer, strikes patrol vehicle multiple times

DOWNEY — A Downey police officer escaped injury Tuesday morning after a motorist opened fire on him while he was sitting inside his patrol vehicle, police said.

The shooting occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. in the 10500 block of Downey Avenue, where the officer was responding to a call for service.

According to the Downey Police Department, a Dodge Durango drove past the officer’s parked patrol vehicle, and the driver fired shots at the officer.

The patrol vehicle was struck multiple times, but the officer was not injured.

Despite the gunfire, the officer pursued the Dodge Durango and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, described only as an adult male, was taken into custody.

Police recovered two firearms at the scene.

Authorities did not release the suspect’s identity or disclose a possible motive for the shooting. It was also unclear whether the suspect had any connection to the original call for service.

Police described the shooting as an isolated incident and said the investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Estrada at (562) 904-2332 or jestrada@downeyca.org.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or through lacrimestoppers.org.