K.C.Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports that Bulls swingman Jalen Rose was the victim of a carjacking attempt early Tuesday. A passenger in Roses? vehicle was shot in the face in the incident and taken to an L.A. area hospital.

Rose escaped injury, and the passenger's wound is not life-threatening, according to Los Angeles police officer Jack Richter.

The Incident occurred late Monday night in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. Wile the rented Bentley driven by Rose was stopped at a red light, a Cadalliac Escalade with three male passengers pulled up beside the vehicle.

One man exited, approached the passenger side of the Bentley and pointed a gun at the passenger, according to Richter. Rose sped away and the man fired several shots, one of which struck Rose's 34-year-old passenger. "It's very rare to have violent crime in that neighborhood," Richter said.

It was unclear whether the suspects were aware of Rose's identity. The police department is withholding the passenger's name because the suspects remain at large, but someone close to Rose described him as a "close, lifelong friend."

Rose couldn't be reached for comment. Bulls officials talked to Rose early Tuesday morning. "He was obviously concerned," general manager Jerry Krause said. Krause said Rose, 29, will return to Chicago shortly. Training camp opens for the Bulls on Oct. 1.