A tense standoff unfolded in Compton, California, leading to a shootout and foot chase between a convicted felon and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies. The incident, which occurred on the morning of January 31st, has resulted in multiple charges against the suspect, 36-year-old Mario Bustillo.
Bustillo was wanted on an outstanding no-bail warrant for violating the terms of his post-release community supervision. His extensive criminal history includes convictions for assault, vehicle theft, grand theft, and firearm and narcotics offenses.
Acting on information about his whereabouts, deputies located Bustillo in the vicinity of his last known address. Upon their arrival, Bustillo fired shots at the deputies, prompting an immediate call for backup. A 911 call received by dispatch revealed that Bustillo was hiding in a nearby garage.
Security camera footage shows a man running through a backyard.
Responding to the escalating situation, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department dispatched Special Enforcement Bureau personnel and a helicopter to the scene. During the subsequent standoff, categorized as a barricade operation, Bustillo managed to escape from the garage. Security footage captured him fleeing through a backyard and scaling a wall to evade capture.
Bustillo’s attempt to escape took a dangerous turn as he exchanged gunfire with deputies, firing shots at two separate officers. Law enforcement returned fire, and while multiple first responders were wearing body cameras, the devices were only activated after the shooting, capturing video footage but no audio of the exchange.
Bodycam footage shows a view of the street after the shootout.
“On your camera? I did. I… did. It’s laying on the ground… just south of the black SUV… one property corresponding to the original target location,” a deputy can be heard saying in the body camera footage.
Following the shootout, Bustillo, who sustained a gunshot wound to the torso, was apprehended by deputies. He received immediate medical attention on-site before being transported to a local hospital for further treatment.
A search of the area led to the recovery of a 40-caliber semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, believed to have been used by Bustillo during the altercation.
As a result of his actions, Bustillo now faces a slew of charges, including five counts of attempted murder of a peace officer. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office have launched a joint investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
