Bodycam Footage Reveals Intense Gun Battle at Local Liquor Store”

What began as a routine patrol in South Los Angeles quickly spiraled into a heart-pounding firefight inside a neighborhood liquor store.

In the early hours of August 31, officers faced a man whose actions transformed a calm encounter into a violent standoff. Within moments, shelves were riddled with bullets, chaos erupted, and the boundary between routine policing and life-threatening danger vanished entirely.

Newly released body camera footage from the Los Angeles Police Department reveals the intense moments when a routine patrol escalated into a fierce gun battle inside a South LA liquor store. The incident, which unfolded shortly after 1 a.m. near Ninth Avenue and West Jefferson Boulevard, left the store heavily damaged and a 33-year-old suspect, Malik Sala, wounded.

Officers on extra patrol noticed Sala and initially tried to engage him calmly, with footage capturing their repeated pleas to “just relax” and “calm down,” creating a brief window of normalcy.

That fragile calm shattered when officers spotted a firearm concealed in Sala’s waistband. As they moved to detain him, he drew his weapon, igniting a chaotic exchange of gunfire inside the store.

Surveillance footage shows bullets tearing through snack shelves, sending chips and candy flying, while officers scrambled for cover amid the hail of bullets. The scene resembled a Hollywood action sequence—but it was a dangerous, real-life confrontation.

Despite being hit in the arm by return fire, Sala kept firing, staggering toward the store’s exit. Blood dripped from his left arm as he aimed with his right, targeting officers positioned behind patrol cars outside. Commands like “Come out!” and “Get back!” echoed through the tense standoff.

@abc7la The Los Angeles Police Department released #bodycam video Wednesday of a dramatic #shootout at a liquor store in Jefferson Park. Surveillance video from the store shows the moment Salaah shot at the officers. #SouthLA ♬ original sound – ABC7LA

Eventually, officers subdued Sala, who collapsed from his injuries as medical aid was summoned. He was rushed to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening wounds. No officers were hurt, though the liquor store suffered extensive bullet damage.

Sala now faces multiple serious charges, including assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and possession of a firearm by a felon. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the violent encounter.

The footage’s release has reignited conversations about the dangers police face during routine patrols and the unpredictable risks of armed confrontations in public spaces. For residents of the neighborhood, the violent transformation of a familiar store into a battleground is a stark reminder of how quickly safety can unravel.

Conclusion

A routine patrol in South Los Angeles devolved into a tense, high-stakes firefight that could have ended in tragedy. This incident underscores the unpredictable hazards law enforcement officers confront daily, the risks inherent in armed public encounters, and how quickly everyday places can turn into scenes of violence. For both the community and police, it stands as a sobering reminder of the fragile nature of safety in ordinary moments.