LAPD Ambushed During Traffic Stop! Full Bodycam + Dashcam Video

LAPD Ambushed During Traffic Stop – On July 3, 2024, in West Compton, California, what appeared first as an ordinary traffic stop rapidly erupted into a life-threatening ambush. Officers Stefan Carutasu and Joshua Rodney attempted to pull over a white Chevrolet sedan at Broadway and Rosecrans Avenue. Without warning, the driver—later identified as Malcolm Darnell Guss Jr., a seven-time convicted felon—opened fire with a fully automatic AR-style

rifle, striking the patrol vehicle’s windshield. Glass shards caused graze wounds and lacerations to both officers, who miraculously survived the unprovoked attack. The severity and sudden nature of the confrontation shocked Los Angeles city officials and the general public alike. This incident stands out not only for the rarity of a felon wielding full-auto fire against law enforcement, but also for how quickly things escalated during what was supposed to be a discretionary stop. Officers hadn’t even exited the vehicle when the bullets came through the windshield. This breach of safety protocols underscored how even routine policing can become a deadly ordeal in an instant.

BODYCAM & DASHCAM FOOTAGE REVEAL CHAOS

LAPD Ambushed During Traffic Stop – LAPD later released synchronized bodycam and dashcam footage capturing the ambush in real time. The videos show the officers approaching the suspect vehicle, the sudden stop, and the rapid volley of rounds before any engagement. The shocking footage underscores how close the officers came to grave injury—or worse. One officer can be seen returning fire, though the primary goal appeared to be defense and retreat rather than counterattack.

The footage also reveals the precise chaos of the moment: flying windshields, yelling, rapid radio calls, and immediate call for backup. This unfiltered perspective is rare—most law enforcement encounters don’t escalate so abruptly, and even fewer are captured on camera with such clarity. The footage has since become a reference point in training scenarios about handling ambush-style violence during traffic stops and underlines the need for backing up tactical planning in low-risk engagements.

SUSPECT’S CRIMINAL HISTORY AND COURT DEVELOPMENTS

LAPD Ambushed During Traffic Stop – Malcolm Darnell Guss Jr., aged 31 at the time of the incident, was a seven-time convicted felon, with serious convictions for residential burglary, firearm possession, and drug-related offenses. His criminal record included two strikes for burglaries, multiple felony firearm charges since 2020, prior arrests involving drugs and weapons, and a history of resisting arrest and assault charges.

Following the shooting, Guss was in custody by July 12, around nine days after the ambush, when police seized his vehicle and the alleged rifle used in the attack. He was booked on multiple charges including attempted murder of a peace officer, assault with a machine gun, shooting at an occupied vehicle, possession of a machine gun, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Guss pleaded not guilty in court. Bail was set at over $2 million, and he remained detained pending trial. A preliminary hearing was scheduled in late July. In July 2025, Guss was convicted on all counts except one attempted murder count. Subsequently, he was sentenced to 162 years to life in state prison, effectively ending any chance of release. This sentence highlights the seriousness with which California courts are treating attacks on law enforcement.

OFFICER SAFETY AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

LAPD Ambushed During Traffic Stop – This ambush prompted internal reviews within LAPD and renewed emphasis on officer safety during routine stops, particularly in high-risk areas. Training now includes scenario-based exercises on how to respond when suspects open fire before the contact stage. Officers are also being briefed on recognizing behavioral cues that may escalate a stop from standard to dangerous in seconds.

Policy discussions emerged around preemptive positioning, car-to-car communications, and maintaining secure distance before initiating contact—especially when encountering suspiciously abrupt stops or unusual driver behavior. The incident served as a grim reminder that even traffic enforcement can turn into firefights when suspects are armed and uncooperative.

WHY THIS CASE MATTERS TO TRUE CRIME AUDIENCES

LAPD Ambushed During Traffic Stop – The Compton ambush held multiple elements that resonate with true crime enthusiasts: a veteran, violent felon; full-auto rifle fire at law enforcement; synchronized body and dashcam visuals; and a harrowing sequence of events in broad daylight. The unusual nature of the attack, the shooter’s brazen record, and the stunning survival of the officers make it a compelling and rare example of modern police danger.

Moreover, the aftermath—Guss’s arrest, conviction, and extraordinary prison sentence—tells a complete story arc, adding closure and satisfaction for audiences seeking resolution. For viewers interested in law enforcement response tactics and the legal fallout of ambush attacks, this incident stands out as both terrifying and instructive.

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LAPD Ambushed During Traffic Stop

LAPD Ambushed During Traffic Stop

LAPD Ambushed During Traffic Stop


LAPD Ambushed During Traffic Stop

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