Suspect identified after two police officers were wounded in shootout in South Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The suspect was found and arrested several hours later shootout in south Los Angeles According to the authorities, two police officers were injured.

Nija Hill was taken into custody around 1 a.m. Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

LAPD officers responded to a report of an armed robbery near the intersection of East 92nd Street and South Central Avenue at 9 p.m. Friday, officials said.

Police said Hill pistol-whipped the two victims in an alley adjacent to a laundromat located near the 9200 block of South Central Avenue.

According to police, Hill entered the laundromat and threatened several other people. The suspect then went outside, where he again threatened several vendors with a firearm, police said.

The laundromat was evacuated, and video shows customers running in several directions, some carrying their clothes.

When officers arrived at the scene, they saw Hill standing on the sidewalk outside the laundromat, and he immediately took off running.

During the pursuit, the suspect opened fire, striking both officers, the LAPD said. The police set up a perimeter and called in special forces.

At the time, Hill apparently tried to carjack a car near 93rd Street and Clovis Avenue, but was unsuccessful, police said.

A short time later, police found Hill with a wounded leg hiding in a car not far from the scene.

He was sent to the hospital, where he was treated and allowed to be registered.

Two officers were released from the hospital Saturday morning after suffering minor injuries. Another person — probably a robbery victim — was wounded in the forehead.

Police initially said the second suspect remained at large, but later retracted that statement.

A Glock Model 17, 9mm, semi-automatic firearm and an empty magazine were found in a dumpster near 93rd Street and Clovis Avenue, according to police.

Officers also found nine spent 9mm rounds near where the officers fired.

The gun, magazine and shell casings were processed and entered into evidence, police said.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The City News Service contributed to this report.