Suspect Shoots at Officers from a Vehicle NR11474rf

Los Angeles: LAPD officers being followed by armed gang members were engaged in an officer-involved shooting after a suspect fired at them from a vehicle.

On Sept. 27, 2011, about 6:40 p.m., non-uniformed LAPD Hollenbeck Area officers investigating gang activity were driving in an unmarked police car in the vicinity of Soto Street and Cesar Chavez Boulevard.  In the 500 block of Soto Street, they saw a group of male Hispanics on a front porch displaying gang signs, and in a short time discovered they were being followed in a car by three suspects, one of whom was armed with a handgun.

The officers made an effort to separate themselves from the suspects’ car by carefully driving through a red light, but a short time later, as they were broadcasting the suspects’ vehicle location for additional units to respond, the suspects pulled up near the officers.  Immediately, a suspect in the front passenger side of the car pointed a handgun at the officers and fired, striking their vehicle.  In response, one of the officers discharged his firearm at the suspects but didn’t hit anyone.  The suspects then drove away and the officers followed.

Later, officers were able to take two suspects into custody regarding the incident; although the original vehicle they were using remains outstanding.

No officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire.  The LAPD Force Investigation Division responded to the incident and is investigating the officer-involved shooting.

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. Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the LAPD Force Investigation Division 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 Crimestoppers 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.