A San Bernardino County sheriff’s detective was wounded in a shooting in the California desert Wednesday afternoon, prompting a large-scale police response that ended with the suspected shooter dead.
Authorities said the detective was hit by gunfire around 3:15 p.m. near East Avenue R and 130th Street in Littlerock, a rural community east of Palmdale in northern Los Angeles County.
The injured detective was flown by helicopter to Antelope Valley Hospital for medical care. Officials have not publicly identified the detective or provided a full update on his condition, though they confirmed during an evening news briefing that he had been shot in the lower ribcage area.
The alleged gunman died at the location of the shooting, but investigators have not yet explained the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death or released the person’s name.
Aerial footage from television news helicopters showed deputies sealing off the scene with yellow crime tape as investigators moved through the desert neighborhood. Meanwhile, a heavy law enforcement presence was also seen outside Antelope Valley Hospital while the detective received treatment.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau is assisting the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in the ongoing investigation, which is being overseen by Lt. Michael Modica.
Authorities have shared limited information so far, citing the active nature of the investigation.
Anyone who may have information about the Littlerock shooting is asked to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
