A cell phone charger in a deputy's pocket deflected a bullet fired by a gunman involved in a shootout early Tuesday that left one person dead and two Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies wounded, according to authorities.
The deputies suffered non-life threatening injuries in the shooting in the 3900 block of West Century Boulevard (map), according to an early statement released by the sheriff's department.
One man involved in the shootout died at a hospital. Deputies also detained a man and a woman and recovered a handgun.
The deputies were conducting a traffic stop involving a Mercedes Benz that did not have license plates. A deputy was patting down one of the subjects when she noticed a gun in the man's waistband, according to investigators.
As the second deputy attempted to restrain the gunman, the subject opened fire, according to authorities. The female deputy was struck in the hip.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca told reporters that a bullet struck a cell phone charger in the deputy's pocket, possibly saving her from serious injury. The image, at right, of the charger and cord was provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
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"I've heard of a lot of things stopping rounds, but something that small is nothing short of a miracle," said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Mike Rosson.
The other deputy, who returned fire, suffered a graze wound to the hand.
Both deputies were released from the hospital late Tuesday morning.
The deceased gunman was identified only as a 48-year-old man.
Authorities taped off an area in front of a Rodeway Inn motel, and paramedics were seen working on patients in front of the business.
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