Undercover Vice Officer Shoots Man in Westlake

LOS ANGELES, CA -- An undercover vice officer fired at a suspect in the Westlake district Monday, striking him in the arm.

It's unclear what prompted the gunfire, but no officers were injured in the shooting, which occurred about 4:50 p.m. in the area of Alvarado and Seventh streets, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The suspect and another man fled following the shooting and police began a perimeter search.

Both the suspect, who had a gunshot wound to the arm, and the other man who ran from the scene were located and the wounded man was taken to a hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury, according to LAPD Detective Meghan Aguilar.

The second man was taken into custody for questioning, Aguilar said, adding that a handgun was recovered at the scene.

Neither man's name was immediately released.

The officer involved in the shooting was in an undercover vehicle, conducting a pedestrian stop on Alvarado Street, south of Seventh Street, when the gunfire occurred, Aguilar said.

Investigators were sorting out the circumstances, according to the detective.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock