Officer Hurt, Suspect Killed in Shootout

A city police officer was recovering from leg and shoulder wounds a day after being shot by a suspected car thief, officials said Wednesday.

The suspect was killed by return fire from police, officials said. The coroner’s office identified him Wednesday as Robert Contreras, 21, of San Fernando.

The officer, Carlos Gutierrez, 25, was shot early Tuesday as police chased four suspects who fled from a stolen truck that crashed into a Sepulveda Boulevard median.

Contreras hid behind a car and opened fire as Gutierrez approached, police said. Gutierrez was among those who returned fire, according to police. Contreras collapsed as he tried to run, and died in a driveway.