Officer, 2 others hospitalized after being shot in Arcadia; suspect arrested after hours-long standoff
An officer and two other people were shot by a man who barricaded himself inside a home in Arcadia for more than five hours after a family dispute escalated Wednesday evening.
"Sad situation all around," said Arcadia police Lt. Brett Bourgeous. "We're concerned about the person inside. We're concerned about the people that were injured."
The incident began as a dispute between two brothers, one of which was armed, at about 5:40 p.m. at a home in the 2500 block of Greenfield Avenue.
When Arcadia police arrived the suspect opened fire, striking one of the two responding officers in the face and his 73-year-old mother Ankine Venk in the chest. The third victim, 83-year-old Zoo Ching Yang who lives across the street, was struck by a stray bullet that flew through a bedroom window frame of his home as he and his wife babysat their four-month-old grandchild.
All victims were rushed to the hospital with critical but non-life-threatening injuries.
Ankine and her 12-year-old grandson were able to run from the home to safety.
"Our family doesn't even involve with them," said the son of the 80-year-old man shot in the face. "That's why I was surprised I wasn't expecting. I thought maybe there was a mistake or something."
The officers did not return fire, Bourgeous said.
As the situation unfolded, Arcadia police called for help from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau. While other departments also responded to the scene, LASD took control of the tactical situation soon after.
Another officer suffered minor injuries during the incident when they attempted to take cover after the suspect started firing shots. They were rescued from behind a tree on the property where they were taking cover by a SWAT team on the scene.
Arcadia police said that the officer wounded in the shooting, in his 20s, was in stable condition as of Thursday morning. The officer, whose identity has yet to be released, is a three-year law enforcement veteran and has been with the Arcadia Police Department for about six months.
Bourgeous asked the suspect to surrender during the news conference.
"We want this to resolve peacefully," he said.
As the standoff continued, officers rescued a child from inside of the home and learned that the gunman was armed with at least several handguns. The suspect also claimed to have some sort of chemicals in his home, prompting a hazardous materials investigation after he was taken into custody.
At about 10:40 p.m., the suspect walked out of the home with his hands up and surrendered to authorities shortly after deputies launched a flash-bang grenade in front of the house.
Authorities identified the suspect as 47-year-old Nurhan Venk on Thursday. He was being held on $1 million bail.
During a press conference late Wednesday evening, authorities confirmed that Venk had a wound that appeared consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his leg, and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Residents in the surrounding area were allowed to return home after the suspect was arrested as the "area was deemed safe" by LASD deputies.
According to the Sheriff's Department, no officers fired their weapons during the incident.
Authorities launch flashbang; suspect surrenders shortly after
The suspect wanted for shooting three people including an Arcadia police officer surrendered after an hours-long standoff.
The man exited the home with his hands up shortly after deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department fired a flashbang in front of his home.
The standoff began at about 4:00 p.m.
Authorities say officer was shot in face; family member among the wounded.
Arcadia police said that the officer wounded in the shooting was shot in the face. The officer was with the Arcadia Police Department for about six months and has three years of law enforcement experience.
"Sad situation all around," said Arcadia police Lt. Brett Bourgeous. "We're concerned about the person inside. We're concerned about the people that were injured."
One of the other victims was a family member of the suspect. The relationship between the third victim and the suspect has not been released. Police did not release the conditions of the victims.
According to police, the incident began as a dispute between two brothers, one of which had a gun.
The suspect began to fire when officers arrived at the home which is when he shot the officer in the face and the family member in the upper body. He continued to fire and hit the third victim with shrapnel.
The officers did not return fire at the time.
Arcadia police then called for help from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau. Other departments also responded to the scene, but LASD took control of the tactical situation soon after.
Police said that the suspect was armed with at least several handguns.
A child was rescued from the home earlier in the standoff.
Bourgeous asked the suspect to surrender during the news conference.
"We want this to resolve peacefully," he said.
Suspect who allegedly shot three people in Arcadia claims he has chemicals inside home
It is not immediately known what kind of chemicals the suspect claims to have, but its presence has raised concerns for law enforcement.
Currently, there is no information on what chemicals the suspect has.
Second officer suffered a minor injury
An officer suffered a minor ankle injury after running for cover during the initial gunfire.
A SWAT team in an armored vehicle later rescued the officer while he took cover behind a tree. The officer was then taken to the hospital by an ambulance.
A man who was reportedly related to the suspect said that the incident started after a familial dispute.
Tactical command assumed
Authorities have assumed tactical command and a crisis negotiation team will attempt to contact the suspect in hopes of bringing a peaceful resolution.
According to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, which has taken control of the situation, the incident was first reported a little after 4:00 p.m.
Authorities attempting to negotiate with suspect
Authorities are attempting to negotiate a surrender with the suspect, who is still barricaded inside a home.
Shooter is barricaded inside a home
The alleged shooter was reportedly barricaded inside a home in the area of the shooting, prompting authorities to evacuate nearby residences out of an abundance of caution. Other residents were told to shelter in place.
SWAT rescues officer taking cover behind tree
A SWAT team used an armored vehicle to rescue an officer that was taking cover behind a tree. The officer appeared to be limping when the SWAT team ushered him into the back of the armored truck.
Motive not yet released
The shooting happened around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday. A motive for the shooting, or any suspect information, has not yet been released.