14-Year-Old Gang Member Faces Attempted Murder Charge for Shooting LAPD Juvenile Division Detective

Violence in American cities is at an all-time high, and in Los Angeles, a 14-year-old gang member faces an attempted murder charge. On Thursday a Los Angeles Police Department detective was on his way to work in South LA around 5:00 am when he was fortunate enough to only be grazed by a bullet in the back of his head.

The detective was reportedly in his personal vehicle along South Central Avenue when suddenly his windows were shattered and he felt the pain of the bullet. He drove himself to the Los Angeles Fire Department Station No. 14 across from the police station.

Enhancing the already tragic situation is that the suspect is a young boy. “Following the shooting, another police officer saw someone running in the area. LAPD officers later located the young suspect nearby on East 28th Street and Naomi Ave. He was in possession of a firearm and is a known gang member, LAPD said.”

Investigators are trying to determine if the suspect purposefully targeted the detective who works in LAPD’s Juvenile Division. The detective was not wearing his uniform, nor was he in his patrol vehicle at the time of the shooting, reports Fox LA.

“LAPD Assistant Chief Robert Marino said in a press briefing that the detective ran outside his vehicle where firefighters provided medical aid and were able to stabilize him before he was taken to LAC + USC Medical Center” adds Fox LA.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore said on social media, “Grateful our officer will survive this unprovoked attack. Just spoke with him by phone. Our Robbery-Homicide detectives have investigated and I’m confident they will identify the individuals responsible. Too many guns in too many hands.”