Robbery-Homicide to Investigate Drive-by Shooting of Northeast Officer

The LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division (RHD) is now investigating the drive-by shooting of a Northeast Division officer early Sunday morning.

The officer was unharmed, but a stretch of the freeway near Los Feliz Boulevard was shut down for about an hour during the investigation.

According to Officer Cleon Joseph of LAPD's Media Relations Office, there are currently no leads in the case.

As Bill Murphy, commander of the Northeast Division told KCBS/KCAL Sunday, “Any time someone shoots at an officer, of course, it concerns us greatly. We have our best detectives working on this case.”

According to the RHD website: "Detectives assigned to RHD have a high level of experience and investigative expertise."

Several shots from what is believed to be a black vehicle were fired at a Northeast Divison officer driving home from work about 5:30 a.m. Sunday on the 5 Freeway.

Update: A previous version of this story suggested that the officer was struck by the shooter's bullets. The officer was not struck, we regret the confusion caused.

Several LAPD officers refused to comment when asked if the targeted officer worked in Northeast's gang unit.

Detective Rick Ortiz, captain of LAPD's Gang Unit, told Patch that incidents like Sunday's reminded officers of the precautions they must take when returning home from working.

"From the beginning, we're always told we need to be careful when we're leaving the station," Ortiz said. "You just have to make sure you're switching up your routine, not driving home the same way consistently."

Anyone with information about the incident can call 877-527-3247.