The Los Angeles Police Department released video footage of an officer-involved shooting after a traffic stop.
"You don't have anything on you, right?" the officer asked the man. He then exits the vehicle and opens fire.
He shot the female officer, after which her partner rushed to her aid, shooting and killing the suspect, 32-year-old Richard Mendoza. KABC reported that Mendoza had ties to a gang as well as prior convictions.
The female officer sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was taken to Dignity Health in Northridge, according to the KABC report. She isn’t expected to return to duty in several months.
In the video, the other officer tells her:"You're gonna be okay ... I got you, I got you.”
The male officer then radios for help: "Officers needs help, shots fired. Officer needs help; shots fired. Noble, south of Plummer."
“Once a person has you in that position, it is very tough,” he said. “You cannot stop that first one or two shots.”
Moore said that the female officer worked in the LAPD's gang unit and recognized Mendoza.
He told the LA Times that the gunshot had shattered the female officer's femur in her leg. “I spoke with her, she is OK,” he said.
The LAPD didn't release any more details about the incident.