Man Charged in Exchange of Gunfire That Injured Two LAPD Officers

A man who allegedly wounded two Los Angeles Police Department officers in an exchange of gunfire was charged Tuesday with attempted murder and other counts.

Superior Court Judge Susan J. De Witt ordered Nija Hill, 30, to remain jailed in lieu of just over $2.2 million bail while awaiting arraignment Dec. 18 at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse.

Hill was brought into the courtroom late Tuesday afternoon in a wheelchair.

He is charged with nine felony counts, including two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, three counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and one count each of attempted second-degree robbery, attempted extortion, attempted carjacking and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Officers were responding to a radio call in the area of 92nd Street and South Central Avenue at about 9 p.m. last Friday night when Hill — who had allegedly confronted two people in an alley and then allegedly threatened others with a firearm — immediately fled and led police on a short foot pursuit, according to a statement released by Los Angeles police.

Hill allegedly fired at officers during the pursuit, striking both of them, near the 9200 block of South Central Avenue, and then unsuccessfully tried to carjack a vehicle in the area of 93rd Street and Clovis Avenue, police said.

SWAT officers found Hill in the area of 92nd Street and Wadsworth Avenue following an extensive search, and he was taken into custody without incident, police said.

Authorities determined that Hill had sustained a gunshot wound to his right leg during the exchange of gunfire, and he was treated at a hospital for his wound before being booked, according to police.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics took the two injured officers to a hospital, where they were treated for their wounds and subsequently discharged, police said.

One of the men who was assaulted was also treated at a hospital for his injuries, according to police.