COMPTON, Calif. (NewsNation Now) — Newly released video shows two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies tending to one another after they both were shot in the head in an ambush by a gunman Saturday. The new video surfaces as the reward for gunman increased from $100,000 to $175,000.
Surveillance video showed the two deputies being shot at point-blank range while they were sitting inside their patrol car around 7 p.m. Saturday in Compton near a Metro station, the Sheriff’s Department said.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva told NewsNation affiliate KTLA that video of the brazen shooting shows the male deputy staggering out of the patrol car after being shot with the female deputy following.
Villanueva said the female deputy, a 31-year-old wife and mother, and the 24-year-old male deputy, took lifesaving actions after they were shot multiple times.
“He’s bleeding out profusely from the arm so she actually applies a tourniquet to his arm to stop the bleeding and she tries to call for help on the radio,” Villanueva explained. “It’s pretty heart-wrenching and she’s trying to mumble and we finally get her … she says where she is at and the fact that there was a shooting, and that got all the help rolling in her direction.”
Villanueva said after getting out of their patrol car they hid behind a nearby column.
“They didn’t know if the gunman was going to come back or not and they’re obviously both disabled and injured, very gut-wrenching to see the video and the heroic efforts from both of them to get to safety and still manage to take care of each other,” Villanueva said.
Both deputies graduated from the academy 14 months ago, according to Villanueva.
The department shared part of the video in a Twitter post Saturday.
Later on Sunday, dozens of supporters gathered outside St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood where the deputies are being treated to pray for their recovery.
Officers remained stationed outside the hospital following a tense protest Saturday night, which resulted in the arrest of one demonstrator and KPCC reporter Josie Huang.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, protesters were blocking the entrance and exit of the hospital emergency room, and at least one yelled “We hope they die.”
Officials described the shooter as a man between the ages of 28 and 30. He was seen wearing dark clothing. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau said the perpetrator got into a black, four-door sedan after the shooting.
“It’s going to take some time, but they are working day and night to solve this and get these cowardly suspects to justice,” Villanueva said.
Authorities asked anyone with information to call 323-890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact “Crime Stoppers” by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), using the “P3 Tips” mobile app or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help the deputies with medical expenses and needs for their families.
The shooting quickly made national news and prompted prayers from local and national leaders, including President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.
NewsNation affiliate KTLA contributed to this report.