By Richard Winton

Source Los Angeles Times

A San Bernardino County sheriff's detective was shot during an exchange of gunfire in Little Rock on Wednesday afternoon that left the suspect dead, authorities said.

L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said San Bernardino County detectives were conducting an investigation when they were confronted by a suspect "armed, dangerous and willing to shoot it out with the police."

"This was a very dangerous individual, in my opinion," the sheriff said at a Wednesday night news conference, and called the detective a hero."

The sheriff said the detective was hit by gunfire around 3:10 p.m. in the 13000 block of East Avenue R2 at 130 Street, a remote area.

"We are still piecing together a lot of things," Luna said. "This was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and the deputy."

The sheriff's departments for San Bernardino and L.A. counties initially said the detective was serving a search warrant when gunfire broke out and that he and a suspect were hit. But neither Luna nor San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus confirmed that information at the news conference.

Luna said the detective was airlifted to the Antelope Valley Medical Center in Lancaster in the department's Air Rescue 5 helicopter. The suspect was declared deceased at the scene, officials said.

Dicus said the 12-year veteran detective was shot just below the rib cage.

"He is receiving top-notch medical care at the Antelope Valley Medical Center that is going to be for internal injuries he received," Dicus said, adding that having the deputy airlifted quickly was vital, and he was stabilized during the flight. Dicus did not identify the detective except to say he was in his 30s. He was undergoing surgery for his injuries.

"We don't believe any suspects are outstanding," Dicus said. "We have a number of folks detained in this case."

Aerial views of the scene showed two SUVs and a deputy's ballistic vest abandoned on the ground at the scene. Los Angeles County officials confirmed that the agency airlifted injured people from the scene. The SUVs had bullet holes visible in their windows. A cover protected the body of the suspect near one of the SUVs.

Dozens of L.A. County sheriff's deputies converged on the scene and were visible amid a desert landscape and some ramshackle buildings.

Luna said the Los Angeles County sheriff's Homicide Bureau was investigating the shooting, and the Los Angeles County medical examiner and a team with the L.A. County district attorney were headed to the scene.

"We haven't even processed the scene yet," Luna explained. "Detectives will probably be out there all night."

Times staff writer Clara Harter contributed to this report.

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