Los Angeles Police release bodycam video of a machine gun-wielding suspect shooting two officers during a traffic stop in Willowbrook

WILLOWBROOK, Calif. (KABC) — The Los Angeles Police Department on Friday released bodycam video of the moment a suspect armed with a machine gun shot two police officers during a traffic stop in the Willowbrook neighborhood on the evening of July 3.

The video shows LAPD officers Stefan Carutasu and Joshua Rodney attempting to stop the suspect at the corner of Broadway and Rosecrans Avenue. The suspect accelerates and stops on Broadway north of Rosecrans. Before officers could exit their patrol car, the suspect, who authorities said was armed with a machine gun, fired at police without warning.

At least one officer returned fire as the suspect fled the scene. Officers pursued the suspect but lost sight of him in the area of ​​135th Street and Broadway.

Both officers suffered cuts and scratches from broken glass caused by the suspect’s bullets hitting the police vehicle’s windshield. One officer suffered two graze wounds to the head, the LAPD said.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel transported the officers to a local hospital where they were treated for their injuries and released the next morning.

Numerous cartridge cases from the suspect’s weapon were found at the crime scene. No one was injured in the incident, police said.

The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Malcolm Darnell Guss, Jr., was arrested on July 12 for attempted murder.

Guss faces one count of attempted murder of a police officer, two counts of assault on a police officer with a machine gun, one count of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, one count of possession of a machine gun and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said.

It is also alleged that Guss personally and intentionally fired a rifle.

Guss was arraigned Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to all charges. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 29. He is being held on $2,025,000 bail.

“The heinous attack on two police officers during what was supposed to be a routine traffic stop is absolutely appalling,” Gascón said in a press release. “This unprovoked attack is a stark reminder of the dangers our police officers face. This act of violence is not only an attack on officers, but on our community’s values ​​of safety and justice. Our thoughts and prayers are with Officers Stefan Carutasu and Joshua Rodney, and the Los Angeles Police Department, during this time.”

If convicted, Guss faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.