LOS ANGELES (CNS) - An off-duty Los Angeles police officer was killed in a shooting in the Lincoln Heights area of Los Angeles and the shooter was at- large.
A civilian flagged down a Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer shortly before 1 a.m. to report a shooting in the area of Avenue 26 and Artesian Street, according to Assistant Chief Beatrice Girmala.
The officer called for backup officers, who responded to the scene and located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds, Girmala said.
One victim, the off-duty officer, was pronounced dead at the scene and the second victim was taken to a hospital in unknown condition, she said.
Police Chief Michel Moore is out of the country, with Girmala serving as acting chief in his absence. Moore has been in constant contact with the department regarding the shooting, Girmala said.
Mayor Eric Garcetti took to social media to express condolences on behalf of the city.
"Angelenos are waking to the tragic news that one of our own @LAPDHQ officers was taken from us in a senseless murder,'' the mayor posted this morning. "Words cannot match our sorrow or ease the shock we feel over this reminder of the dangers that officers face every moment they wear the badge."
"This City will stand with the officer's family every step of the way, and will not rest until we find and prosecute a vicious killer. My Crisis Response Team has been sent to comfort and assist the family at this moment of unthinkable grief.''
The officer's name was not released, pending notification of relatives, but it is a man, according to multiple media reports.
A description of the shooter was not disclosed.
The California Highway Patrol has closed the Avenue 26 offramp from the northbound Golden State (5) Freeway for an unknown duration, and several nearby streets are also blocked as the investigation continues.