The officer was ‘ambushed’ in Santa Monica after approaching the suspect was sought in another shooting: Police

A police officer was “ambushed” on Wednesday after approaching a suspect who was believed to be sought in separate shootings in Santa Monica, California, the authorities said.

The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon near Santa Monica Place, an outdoor shopping center in Los Angeles County, said the police.

An officer acknowledged the alleged shooter from the bulletin sought for the shooting incident that occurred earlier this week which injured two teenagers, said the Santa Monica Police Department.

“After identifying himself as a police officer, a short foot pursuit occurred, where the officer was ambushed,” Police Chief Santa Monica Ramon Batista told a press briefing Wednesday night. “The suspect fired several rounds to officers and fled from the area on foot.”

In the middle of the hunt, the police released a photo of the suspect while asking anyone who recognized or saw him to immediately call 911.

The police receive a tip from someone who reports someone who matches the description of the suspect, said Batista. Following the short footing, the suspect was arrested in the area about three hours after the shooting incident, the head said.

Officers found a pistol that was believed to have been used in shooting near the suspect, according to Batista.

Officers suffered a serious injury but did not threaten the shooting, said Batista. The officers “quickly provide assistance” and take him to the local hospital, where he is in a stable condition, according to the head.

“He was excited, and I felt hoped that he would recover,” said Batista.

The police have not released the name of the suspect.

He is believed to be connected by the shooting of two teenagers in Waymo’s autonomous taxis in Santa Monica on Sunday, police said.

“We are almost 100% accurate in believing that it is the same individual,” said Batista.

Teenagers suffer from a life -threatening injury in the shooting, which occurred after the fight, said the police.

The shooting on Wednesday attracted a big police response near Santa Monica Place, which is located in the center of Santa Monica City near the 3rd Promenade Street.

“We are lucky that in a short time, we can catch the individual and he is no longer on the road,” said Mayor Santa Monica Lana Negrete at the Briefing.