Police shoot at vehicle during traffic stop in South Los Angeles

Two California Highway Patrol officers fired multiple rounds at a vehicle they were trying to stop in South Los Angeles after the motorist appeared to drive toward the officers, officials said.

Officers stopped a white Kia Optima shortly after 11 p.m. Monday on South Maple Avenue near Alondra Boulevard in Carson after observing it traveling at a high rate of speed, according to a CHP news release. The car initially stopped and the two officers got out of their patrol vehicle to approach the driver, but the driver then abruptly changed course.

“During the traffic stop, and as the officers were exiting their patrol vehicle, the suspect turned the Kia around and accelerated towards the two officers, causing one of them to fall on his back while he was trying to get out of the way of the Kia. », Indicates the press release.

Officers responded by shooting the Kia several times, officials said.

Officers attempted to follow the Kia eastbound, but quickly lost it, according to the release. About 10 minutes later, officers located the abandoned Kia at West Cypress Street and South Aprillia Avenue, about a mile away in Compton. No suspects have been located, the statement said.

The police officers were not injured. It was unclear whether the driver was injured in the shooting because the person has not yet been found, according to the release.

It was also unclear if there were other people in the vehicle.

CHP spokesman Chris Baldonado said both officers fired their weapons, but it was not immediately clear how many shots were fired.

This is a developing story.