Police officer in ‘good spirits’ after being shot in Whittier; suspect in custody

WHITTIER, Calif. (KABC) — An officer is reportedly in “good spirits” after being shot Monday night in Whittier, officials said.

The shooting was reported just before 9 p.m. near the intersection of Pickering Avenue and Penn Street.

A police officer with the Whittier Police Department was struck, though details on how the shooting unfolded weren’t immediately released by authorities.

According to a Facebook post published by Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri, the officer, who was not identified, is hospitalized and is “in good spirits.”

He said the suspect, who was also shot, is in custody. His or her condition is unknown.

Vinatieri praised the swift response from local law enforcement agencies. Meanwhile, neighbors said they were startled by the sound of gunfire.

“My husband and I were sitting in the living room and next thing you know, we heard pops, and my husband’s like, ‘Was that gunshots or fireworks? I think it was fireworks,’” said Alexis Martinez, who lives in the area. “He was like, ‘Nope!’ Once we saw the cops and the lights, we were like, ‘It was gunshots.’”

Other neighbors said they heard at least 10 gunshots.

It’s unclear what prompted the shooting. Eyewitness News will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.