Los Angeles - On Friday, February 9, 2001, at approximately 2:50 p.m., a uniformed officer assigned to Valley Traffic Division, effected a traffic stop of a vehicle (Mazda MX-6, black in color) in a shopping mall parking lot, located in the northeast corner of Victory Boulevard and Ethel Avenue. As the officer approached the suspect and spoke with him, the suspect, with his arms in his lap, told the officer that he had a gun and that the officer would have to shoot him. The officer retreated from the suspect and requested the assistance of additional units.

Several units responded to the location. Officers at the location included Police Officer II Mark Guardado, Serial No. 31222 (27 years of age, 6 years with the Department, currently assigned to Valley Traffic Division), Police Officer III Wesley Albin, Serial No. 30135 (35 years of age, 10 years with the Department, currently assigned to Metropolitan Division) and Police Officer III Jon-Christian Healy, Serial No. 32855 (30 years of age, 5 years with the Department, currently assigned to North Hollywood Community Police Station. The suspect then exited the vehicle and shouted at the officers that he had a gun and that he was going to shoot them. The suspect then reached under his clothing and simulated pointing a gun at the officers. Officers Guardado, Healy and Albin, in fear for their safety and the safety of others in the area, fired rounds at the suspect. Officers Albin and Guardado each fired their Department issued shotguns and Officer Healy fired his Department issued service pistol. The suspect suffered gunshot wounds to his torso and fell to the ground, where he was taken into custody. Los Angeles City Paramedics responded to the location and transported the suspect to Holy Cross Hospital for continued medical treatment. While at the hospital, the suspect succumbed to his injuries.

None of the involved police personnel were injured during the incident.

The deceased is identified as a male, possibly of Asian decent, in his mid-twenties. The deceased’s name is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin.

Robbery Homicide Division is conducting the investigation into this officer-involved shooting.

Please direct all inquiries regarding this matter to Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586. This press release was prepared by Lieutenant Horace E. Frank.