KTLA News

May 22, 2008, 10:39 AM PDT

CARSON -- Sheriff's SWAT officers surrounded a residence in west Carson this morning after someone fired two gunshots, striking a Los Angeles County sheriff's helicopter.

Police say two bullets struck the chopper while it was responding to a robbery call around 11 p.m. Wednesday, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing at the sheriff's Carson station.

One bullet struck the belly of the helicopter and another hit the tail area - not far from the rear stabilizer, officials said.

The pilot landed safely and no one was hurt.

Overnight, Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a residence on the corner of Catlina and Milton Streets in what investigators described as "an ongoing tactical operation."

A sheriff's spokesman said no information was being released until that operation is complete.

KTLA spotted at least seven people being taken into custody and placed in police cruisers, however, their involvement in the investigation was unknown.

Steve Whitmore with the sheriff's department said they had, in fact, detained several people and that no one had been arrested.

A neighbor, identified as "Dulce", told KTLA that officers knocked on her door around 3 a.m. and said to evacuate. She said all evacuated residents were taken to nearby Van Deene Avenue Elementary school in Torrance while police surrounded the home. She said she did not know who lived in the residence and that she believed the home had been "empty for a while".

Another resident, identified as "Maria" told KTLA that her mother was taking out the trash Wednesday night when she heard the gunshots being fired at the helicopter. She said her mother went back inside the home.

http://ktla.trb.com/news/ktla-helicopte ... 6221.story

From what I hear, some of the Harbor Area gangs have declared war on the cops because of their constant heavy tactics and abuse of power. I know the Wilmeros have been taking real action. Up in inner city L.A. shots are taken at them helos regulary, but they fly high, unless they got units in the ground covering the area. The number one all time Varrio to have taken down choppers has to be CASA BLANCA over in the Insane Empire (Riverside). Them vatos got two choppers to their credit.