The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced that two of its deputies in the Transit Services Bureau were shot multiple times in Compton, Saturday night.

The incident took place after 7 p.m. at the Metro Blue Line Station, as both deputies were inside their vehicle in what the Sheriff’s Department is calling “an ambush.”

“The suspect approached them from behind… he walked along the passenger side of the car— he acted as if he was going to walk past the car,” LASD Homicide Bureau Captain Kent Wegener said in a briefing. “He made a left turn directly toward the car… and fired several rounds inside of the vehicle, striking both of the Sheriff’s deputies.”

The deputies were able to make a radio call for help and were later transported by other deputies to St. Francis Medical Center where they are in critical condition, but still alive, according to Wegener.

After the incident took place, the Sheriff’s Department updated the status of the male and female deputies, saying through Twitter:

“Moments ago, 2 of our Sheriff Deputies were shot in Compton and were transported to a local hospital. They are both still fighting for their lives, so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”

The suspect is still at large and has been described as a dark-skinned male by one of the deputies involved in the shooting.

“It seems to be part of a trend… where suspects open fire, unprovoked,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said. “Every week across the nation someone is losing their life in the act of duty. This is just another grim reminder of that.”

The Sheriff’s department is encouraging assistance from anyone who might have seen the incident take place.

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