Two Arrested for Attempted Murder of Police Officers in Los Angeles NR12220cj

Updated

The officers involved in the below incident have been identified:  Police Officer II Fernando Cuevas and Miguel Gutierrez.

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police arrested two individuals who lead police on a chase after the suspects were shooting at unknown victims in the area of 70th Street and Hoover Street.

On May 10, 2012 at 2:31 p.m., plain clothes officers assigned to 77th Street Area, were conducting surveillance in the area of 70th Street and Hoover Street.    The officers observed two males, shooting at an unknown victim(s). The officers broadcast their location and observations over the police radio.  The officers saw the two males running westbound on 70th Street from Hoover Street.  Officers followed the males, and continued to broadcast their actions.  The two males were attempting to enter a gate that led to the interior of a large apartment complex, located in the 800 block of W. 70th Street.  The officers exited their vehicle, verbally identified themselves as police officers and ordered suspects to surrender.  The younger subject who was later identified as a 17 year-old male Black,  turned in the officers’ direction and pointed a handgun at them, which resulted in an officer-involved shooting (OIS).

The two suspects entered the above apartment complex and the officers followed them on foot.  As the officers entered the open gate they observed the older suspect, later identified as Jonathan McKeone, turn in the officers’ direction and point his handgun at them, which resulted in a second officer-involved shooting.  A responding police unit observed the younger male exiting a rear yard in the 800 block of 68th Street where he was taken into custody without further incident.   A perimeter was established and Metropolitan Division officers which included K-9 and SWAT, responded to the scene.  After a systematic K-9 search, McKeone was located and taken into custody.

Los Angeles Fire Department responded and transported McKeone to a local hospital where he was treated for a minor dog bite by that occurred during the K-9 search.  McKeone was treated and released by the hospital for booking.

Metropolitan Division is handling the dog bite investigation.  Force Investigation Division’s Criminal Apprehension Team is handling the attempt murder investigation committed against the officers, as well as the attempt murder against the unknown victim(s). The handgun possessed by the 17 year-old juvenile was recovered, but the handgun observed in possession of the McKeone was not located.

The officers were not injured during the incident.  The 17 year-old was not injured during the incident and McKeone’s only injury was the minor dog bite he sustained during the K-9 search.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call the FID at (213) 486-5230. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.