Los Angeles, California — On July 5, 2025, at around 3:45 p.m., Southwest Area uniformed Gang Enforcement Detail officers were conducting patrol along the Western Avenue corridor near Martin Luther King (MLK) Park. Officers observed the suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Ernesto Sepulveda, riding a bicycle north on the sidewalk. The officers believed that Sepulveda possessed a handgun and initiated a pedestrian stop on the 3900 block of South Western Avenue. During the stop, Sepulveda suddenly fled from the officers. During the foot pursuit Sepulveda removed a pistol from his waistband and fired at the officers, resulting in an Officer-Involved-Shooting (OIS). One officer was struck in the legs by gunfire. Sepulveda continued to flee south on Western Avenue and fired an additional round at backup officers. Sepulveda experienced a malfunction with his firearm and discarded the weapon, before fleeing farther into MLK Park. Responding officers continued to pursue Sepulveda on foot and a Non-Categorical Use of Force (NCUOF) occurred when Sepulveda was taken into custody. The officer injured by gunfire was transported to a local hospital where he received treatment for gunshot wounds to his legs and a graze wound to his cheek. The officer remains hospitalized in stable condition. Sepulveda was transported to a local hospital for a laceration to his head. He was treated and cleared by medical staff for booking. No other officers or community members were injured during this incident. A black steel, 9mm, Polymer 80, 'Ghost Gun', loaded magazine, and discharged cartridge cases were recovered at scene and booked as evidence.
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