Two officers were hurt when a pursuit ended near the Produce Market District.
LOS ANGELES, CA — A shooting suspect trying to escape from the Produce Market District in downtown Los Angeles crashed into a police cruiser early Wednesday, injuring two Los Angeles Police Department officers and ending a brief pursuit, authorities said.
The crash capped a fast-moving response that began with reports of gunfire near wholesale produce businesses, an area that can be busy with overnight and early-morning deliveries. Police said the suspect fled in a vehicle after a confrontation and gunfire, and the chase ended when the suspect drove into officers and patrol cars in an industrial stretch of downtown. Investigators continued to review evidence from the scene and work to confirm what led up to the shooting report and whether anyone was struck by gunfire.
Officers were called to the area shortly after 1:30 a.m. after reports of a shooting near the produce markets around East 7th Street and Alameda Street, police said. Investigators said the incident began as an argument and escalated when the suspect pulled out a handgun and fired multiple rounds toward people in the area. Patrol officers who arrived in the Produce Market District began looking for the vehicle described in the call, and a short time later they spotted a car believed to be connected to the gunfire. Police said the driver refused to stop, and officers moved in behind the vehicle as it headed through downtown streets lined with warehouses, loading docks and closed storefronts at that hour.
As the pursuit tightened, police said, the suspect drove aggressively and struck at least one patrol unit as officers tried to box the vehicle in. The chase ended near the intersection of South Alameda Street and Bay Street when the suspect’s car slammed into police vehicles, including an LAPD cruiser, in a violent collision that jolted the front ends of the cars and left debris scattered across the roadway. Two officers were injured and taken to a hospital, authorities said. Police did not immediately release the officers’ names, but said their injuries were not considered life-threatening. The suspect was also injured in the crash and taken for medical treatment before being booked, police said.
Police said the suspect was taken into custody at the scene after the collision, and officers recovered evidence connected to the shooting investigation as they secured the area. Detectives worked to determine exactly where the shots were fired, how many rounds were discharged, and whether any buildings or vehicles were hit. Authorities said it was not immediately clear whether anyone other than the suspect was physically harmed by the gunfire itself. Investigators also worked to identify and interview possible witnesses, including workers who may have been arriving early for deliveries or people who were nearby when the argument began.
The Produce Market District, east of downtown’s core, includes produce exchanges, distribution businesses and warehouses that often operate on overnight schedules. Even when nearby streets appear quiet, the area can have truck traffic, forklifts and workers moving between buildings before sunrise. Police frequently respond to disputes and property crimes in industrial corridors, but gunfire reports there can prompt a wider response because of the mix of workers, drivers and passersby, and because streets can channel vehicles quickly toward major routes. Investigators said the location and the timing of the call would be part of their review as they map the suspect’s movements and the moments leading up to the crash.
Authorities did not immediately announce possible charges, but said the case would be evaluated for offenses related to the reported shooting, the pursuit and the collision that injured officers. Police said detectives would submit their findings to prosecutors for review as they finalize reports, gather surveillance video from nearby businesses and examine physical evidence from the vehicles. The department also reviews pursuit-related crashes, including the decisions made during the chase and the actions taken to stop a fleeing driver. Officials said more details, including the suspect’s identity and any weapon recovery, would be released as the investigation progresses.
In the hours after the crash, police vehicles blocked parts of the roadway as investigators photographed damage, marked evidence on the pavement and cleared wrecked cars from the street. The collision left at least one patrol unit with heavy front-end damage, and the suspect’s vehicle appeared crumpled from impact, with shards of plastic and glass spread across lanes near the intersection. Nearby, workers arriving for early shifts slowed to look as emergency lights flashed and officers redirected traffic around the scene. Police said the area remained active for several hours as detectives worked through the sequence of events and officers checked surrounding blocks for additional evidence.
Police said the injured officers were expected to recover, and investigators continued to interview witnesses and review video Wednesday. Authorities said they planned to provide additional updates as soon as the suspect’s condition allowed for booking and questioning, and as detectives confirmed the circumstances behind the gunfire call that started the response.
Author note: Last updated March 5, 2026.