Two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies are fighting for their lives after they were shot in an apparent ambush that was captured on video.
The pair, a man and a woman, were sitting in their patrol car in Compton when a gunman approached from the side and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
Officials said both were in a critical condition after suffering multiple gunshot wounds and were currently undergoing surgery.
A hunt is now underway for the attacker.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released surveillance footage of the shooting, saying in a statement: “The gunman walked up on the deputies and opened fire without warning or provocation.”
Captain Gisselle Espinoza, of Los Angeles Police Department, joined a number of law enforcement officials in voicing her shock over the attack.
“I hope this monster is caught soon,” she said.
“I’m sick to my stomach. The deputies are in my prayers.”
It was unclear whether a particular suspect was being sought.
It comes after LA sheriff’s detectives shot and killed a man in Compton on Thursday after, they say, he opened fire on them as they served a search warrant.
There is no suggestion the two incidents are linked.