Inglewood shooting: Bulletproof vest lifesaving for California cop
| INGLEWOOD, Calif.
A bulletproof vest may have saved the life of a policeman who was shot Wednesday by a gunman who then holed up inside a home and may have a hostage, authorities said.
A second officer was slightly injured in a fall during the confrontation at a home in the south Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood.
A report of a domestic disturbance sent officers to the home around 12:30 p.m., police said.
"Before they could even get to the front door, they were under fire," Capt. James D. Madia told radio station KNX-AM.
One officer was shot in the chest and suffered injuries, but his protective vest stopped the bullet.
"This is incredibly good news," Madia said. "He's going to come out of this OK. He's in a lot of pain."
His partner fell down and she was slightly injured, Madia said.
Both were taken to a hospital in police cars and were listed in good condition, police said.
Officers fired back at the gunman but it wasn't immediately known if he was wounded, Lt. Oscar Mejia said at a news conference.
Madia said the gunman might be holding at least one girl or woman captive in the house.
A SWAT team and hostage negotiators were called. Nearby homes were evacuated and several blocks around the home were cordoned off.
Television news reports showed police leading a line of children and adults along a block, with one officer holding a child.
