In a shocking incident that underscores the dangers faced by law enforcement, Malcolm Darnell Guss Jr. has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly firing a machine gun at two Los Angeles police officers during a routine traffic stop. This event, which occurred on July 3, has highlighted not only the violent encounters police face but also the broader implications for public safety in communities plagued by gun violence.
Guss, a man with a significant criminal history, is now confronting serious legal repercussions that could lead to a life sentence under California’s “three strikes” law. The incident took place in Willowbrook, a neighborhood south of Los Angeles, and has raised many questions about gun control and the safety of police officers on duty.
As Guss awaits his next court date, the community reflects on the state of violence and the challenges in maintaining law and order. This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks that come with police work and the importance of addressing the underlying issues related to crime and gun violence in society.
A man whose record includes seven felony convictions now faces an attempted murder charge after prosecutors say he opened fire with a machine gun on two Los Angeles police officers, grazing one of them. Malcolm Darnell Guss Jr. is accused of using a fully automatic AR-style rifle to shoot at Officers Stefan Carutasu and Joshua Rodney after they tried to stop his white Chevrolet sedan at around 9:30 p.m. on July 3 in Willowbrook near Broadway and Rosecrans Avenue, just south of Los Angeles.
Guss allegedly unloaded on the officers before they could get out of their patrol car, resulting in two graze wounds to the head. Both officers suffered lacerations from the glass fragments of the patrol vehicle’s windshield. Guss fled the scene but was apprehended July 12. On Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty in Compton court to attempted murder and other charges for allegedly using a machine gun in the attack.
Court records show Guss’ prior convictions include two strikes for residential burglaries in July 2014 and December 2018. Since 2020 he’s been charged three times with being a felon in possession of a firearm. In December 2020, records show, Guss was arrested with drugs and a gun by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies. He was sentenced to two years in prison after striking a deal to plead no contest to a single felony charge in March 2021.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Malcolm Darnell Guss Jr. |
| Age | Not specified |
| Criminal Record | Seven felony convictions, including residential burglaries |
| Charges | Attempted murder, use of a machine gun |
| Incident Date | July 3 |
