LAPD Officer Shot, Wounded In Housing Project

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities say a Los Angeles police officer was shot and wounded late Monday night in the Watts section of the city.

The shooting occurred around 11 p.m. PDT in the Nickerson Gardens public housing project, and police searched the area for suspects.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the officer was struck in the left arm and was expected to survive.

Deputy Police Chief Bill Scott says the officer was conscious and rushed to a hospital.

Sgt. James Linder told the paper that police apparently "stumbled into a shooting in progress and a gun battle ensued."

The paper initially reported about an arrest, but later said a civilian was also struck by gunfire. Reports that the civilian died couldn't immediately be confirmed.

The shooting comes with officers around the country on alert following the targeted killings of police this month in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.