DPS officers respond to sound of gunfire near campus

Students who heard a noise that sounded like a gunshot early this morning weren’t alone.

A DPS Community Service Officer patrolling near Gate 3 heard what he thought was a gunshot around 3:40 a.m. this morning, though officers still don’t know what – if anything – was shot.

“There may have been [shots], but we haven’t found anything that’s been shot, whether a building, a car or whatever,” DPS Capt. David Carlisle said.

Officers did find a suspect and weapons, though. Minutes after the CSO reported hearing the potential gunshots, a different DPS officer saw a vehicle speeding down Figueroa Street and turn onto Jefferson Boulevard, Carlisle said.

DPS followed the vehicle until it eventually stopped near a residence on Magnolia Avenue. Officers found two handguns and numerous shell casings during a search of the car, and LAPD subsequently arrested the driver, a 27-year-old-male from Bell Gardens, on a concealed weapon charge.

LAPD officers are still trying to determine if shots we actually fired. There is currently no known connection to USC.