Police have revealed the name of the robbery suspect arrested for shooting two LAPD officers in South Los Angeles as well as further details about the incident in a release on Saturday night.
Officers initially responded to 92nd Street and South Central Avenue around 9 p.m. on Friday night for reports of a robbery.
Before their arrival, LAPD’s investigation later revealed that the suspect, identified as Nija Hill, pistol-whipped two victims in an alley adjacent to a laundromat, located near the 9200 block of South Central Avenue.
Hill, still armed, went into the laundromat to threaten several people inside and then came back outside to again threaten several vendors with his gun. The reports did not specify whether he successfully robbed the victims.
Officers then responded and found Hill standing on the sidewalk outside of the laundromat, but the suspect took off on foot when he noticed law enforcement’s arrival.
LAPD said it was not very long into the chase that Hill pulled out his gun and fired at the pursuing officers, resulting in the Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS), near the 9200 block of South Central Avenue.
Both officers were struck by Hill’s gunfire, and the robbery suspect escaped.
It was at this time that a Help Call was broadcast and officers came to set up a perimeter in the area.
Sky5 was overhead at 10 p.m. and reported seeing ambulances called for two officers.
LAPD said one officer was transported for a possible gunshot wound somewhere on the right side of their body. The second officer was transported for a possible gunshot wound or graze wound to the hand.
KTLA’s Gil Leyvas reported seeing the officer with the hand wound taken out on his own power, and the other officer was taken out on a gurney – but both officers were conscious and speaking to paramedics.
In the meantime, LAPD said Hill fled to the area of 93rd Street and Clovis Avenue where he attempted to carjack an additional victim.
However, this carjack attempt was unsuccessful, and police said Hill hid within the perimeter.
A SWAT team then arrived at the scene to help search and found Hill in the area of 92nd Street and Wadsworth Avenue, where LAPD says he was taken into custody without incident.
“It was observed during his detention that Hill had sustained a gunshot wound to his right leg during the OIS,” LAPD reported.
Hill was then taken to a local hospital where he was treated and cleared for booking. Police did not provide Hill’s age or residence location.
LAPD also provided an update on Saturday that both officers were treated for their wounds and subsequently discharged.
Additionally, a victim of one of Hill’s earlier assaults was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and discharged for his injuries.
Detectives later found a Glock Model 17, 9mm, semi-automatic firearm and empty magazine in a trash receptacle in the area of 93rd Street and Clovis Avenue, and nine discharged 9mm cartridges located within the OIS crime scene.
LAPD said the pistol, magazine and cartridge casings were processed and booked into evidence.
Police said this incident continues to be under investigation.
Police have revealed the name of the robbery suspect arrested for shooting two LAPD officers in South Los Angeles as well as further details about the incident in a release on Saturday night. Officers initially responded to 92nd Street and South Central Avenue around 9 p.m. on Friday night for reports of a robbery. Before […]
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