By Xinhua
Los Angeles : Five people were killed in a standoff between police and a gunman in Los Angeles, police said on Thursday.
The standoff began overnight in a house in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, according to police. A man barricaded himself in a house and opened fire on a police team.
The man had killed three of his relatives before police arrived.
During the standoff, a policeman and the gunman were killed, and two other officers suffered minor injuries, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief William Bratton said.
Police fired tear gas into the residence, trying to get the gunman to surrender, but to no avail.
“It is a tragedy what happened out there, but it could have been much worse,” LAPD Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell said.
Killed in the shooting was LAPD Officer Randy Simmons, 51, McDonnell said.
The gunman’s name was not immediately released, but he was reported to be known to police.
“We’ve had some dealings with him,” said Lt. Tom Smart of the LAPD’S West Valley Division.
But the gunman’s motive for the killing was still under investigation.
“This is a very horrible tragedy and our hearts go out to all the members of the LAPD who also are grieving at this time,” LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.