A manhunt was underway early Sunday in California after two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies were shot “without warning or provocation” while sitting in their patrol car. Both officers were reportedly fighting for their lives after surgery.

The LA County Sheriff’s Department tweeted the initial report:

“Moments ago, 2 of our Sheriff Deputies were shot in Compton and were transported to a local hospital. They are both still fighting for their lives, so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”

As reported by Fox News, the deputies — a 24-year-old man and a 31-year old woman — were both in critical condition as they underwent surgery following the attack. The LA County’s Sheriff’s Department said the “ambush” occurred outside a Metro rail station in Compton.

President Trump tweeted: “Animals that must be hit hard!”

**Warning: video contains graphic images**

Animals that must be hit hard! https://t.co/zrOd9ZUl8o

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 13, 2020

Bill Melugin of Fox 11 in L.A. tweeted updates on the developing story.

“Two LASD Transit Security Bureau deputies have been shot at the Compton PAX station. I’m told by LASD that both were shot in the head by a male who got off a bus, then fled.”

BREAKING: Two LASD Transit Security Bureau deputies have been shot at the Compton PAX station. I’m told by LASD that both were shot in the head by a male who got off a bus, then fled. Both hospitalized, Sheriff Villanueva at hospital now. @FOXLA

— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) September 13, 2020

“Sheriff Villanueva says one deputy is a 31-year-old mom of a 6-year-old boy, other is a 24-year-old male. Says both deputies are out of surgery with multiple gunshot wounds & critical. Says this is now a growing trend of police being targeted in current climate.”

NEW: Sheriff Villanueva says one deputy is a 31 year old mom of a 6 year old boy, other is 24 year old male. Says both deputies are out of surgery with multiple gun shot wounds & critical. Says this is now a growing trend of police being targeted in current climate. @FOXLA

— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) September 13, 2020

“‘It pisses me off, it dismays me,’ Sheriff says of the ambush. He says his deputies are stretched thin and that they have to have a buddy system to watch each other’s backs.”

“It pisses me off, it dismays me,” Sheriff says of the ambush. He says his deputies are stretched thin and that they have to have a buddy system and watch eachother’s backs. @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/2D1wMmUF0V

— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) September 13, 2020

“Confirmed via witness who talked to ABC7: Says protesters made derogatory comments towards deputies and tried to get inside the emergency room.”

Confirmed via witness who talked to ABC7: Says protesters made derogatory comments towards deputies and tried to get inside the emergency room. https://t.co/qxeR54Rywt

— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) September 13, 2020

Fox News also reported that a “handful” of protesters showed up at the hospital but were quickly dispersed after a confrontation with authorities who were guarding the entrance. A local faith leader said some of the protesters shouted “Death to police!” and other slogans.

The LAPD tweeted their support for the two deputies.

“We stand with our brothers and sisters at the LASHQ tonight. The thoughts and prayers of the men and women of the LAPD are with the two deputies that were ambushed while sitting in their vehicle earlier in the evening.”

We stand with our brothers and sisters at the @LASDHQ tonight. The thoughts and prayers of the men and women of the LAPD, are with the two deputies that were ambushed while sitting in their vehicle earlier this evening. https://t.co/zW4MKi6j6v

— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) September 13, 2020

To call some of the tweets in aftermath of the shooting “scum” is a disservice to scum, but I wanted to include several as a stark example of what month-after-month of attacking America’s law enforcement agencies has been reduced to.

Where is the video of what happened before this? I don’t think we should prejudge this without full context. We can’t rely solely on edited video that only shows the shooting. You may just be releasing the clip to inflame the public. How do we know it wasn’t justified?

— J. Gee (@GlazeOne) September 13, 2020

I think he was fearing for his life so he shot them. That’s justifiable right!?

— DNSG (@DNSG_) September 13, 2020

Well, given how cops have been treating people, I’m sure this person rightfully feared for their life and took the appropriate steps to ensure they were able to make it home to their family tonight.

— Rad Pupper (@RadicalPupper) September 13, 2020

This is vile. And it is real. I don’t often call human beings “animals,” but I have to go with President Trump on this one.