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LAPD Officers Wounded in Watts Area Shooting

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Two officers were wounded early Sunday in a gun battle that broke out in the Watts area, officials said.

The shootout occurred about 12:15 a.m. One suspect who allegedly shot at the officers was struck and taken into custody, said Officer Windle Hawkins. That suspect was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The second suspect was being sought.

The officers suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Shortly before the shooting, the two officers had stopped four to six suspected gang members for questioning. Those people were released.

When officers returned to the location 20 minutes later, they saw two of the men. When they approached, the men took off running.

After a short pursuit, one of the suspects shot at the police with a shotgun.

One officer was struck in the face and hand and the other was shot in both legs.

They returned fire and struck one of the suspects.