Hunt still on for suspect who ambushed two deputies in Compton

The hunt continues for an unnamed suspect who ambushed two sheriff’s deputies in a brazen attack at a rail station in Compton, California that was caught on surveillance tape. On the video, a figure dressed in dark clothing approached the vehicle from behind before walking to the passenger side, drawing a handgun and firing multiple shots through the window. After the cowardly attack, the suspect then fled into the night on foot and remains at large. The Sheriff’s Department has described the suspect as a black male between the ages of 28 and 30. The two officers, a male and a female, both survived the attack, but each sustained significant injuries.

The male deputy, 24, was the first to be released from the hospital and is heading to a long-term care facility. The female deputy, 31, has since been released from the hospital and also has a long road ahead in her recovery. The Sheriff’s Department issued the following statement via Twitter: “Great News... both of our Deputies from the #ComptonAmbush have been discharged from the hospital and are resting. They both have a long road to recovery and #LASD appreciates your continued prayers and all the support. #LASDStrong”.  Since news of the attack spread, support and donations for the two deputies have poured in. Over $700,000 has already been raised for the two deputies via a GoFundMe page started by another deputy.

Currently, law enforcement is searching for a witness that was seen on the surveillance camera walking on a nearby sidewalk as the suspect runs off after the shooting. The ambush in Compton resonated not only with other officers, but with many civilians as well. It was a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face on a regular basis as they go about their shifts. In this instance, two officers were just sitting in their vehicle and were shot for no other reason than because they were law enforcement. Those two officers have family and friends that love them and both now face a long road ahead to recovery. Even if the physical wounds heal completely both will likely still suffer some emotional or mental trauma from the ambush.

One can only fathom what those two deputies went through that night. Imagine just sitting in your vehicle and suddenly shots are coming through the window, tearing into your flesh. In that instance, you are helpless to defend yourself and subdue the suspect. Instead, you must have the foresight to keep yourself alive and call for assistance. Just knowing that the suspect is still at large after shooting you multiple times, and potentially altering the course of your life and career, would make anyone’s blood burn. I know it would piss me off if I were the one shot. Regardless of all of the focus on police brutality and reform, there was no justification for the ambush in Compton. None. When the suspect is finally apprehended, he can’t claim he had some legitimate reason for the shooting. He just did it because he hated law enforcement and took a chance to try and end the lives of not one, but 2, deputies. For that, he deserves the maximum punishment that the justice system can hand down. No one gets a free pass for targeting innocent people.

Currently, the reward for information on the suspect has climbed to over $500,000: Reward climbs past $500,000 for tips leading to suspect who shot 2 deputies in Compton

By: Robert Foreman