Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Critical Incident Investigation Division (CIID) is investigating the following officer involved shooting incident.

On Tuesday, January 13, 2004, South Bureau, Gang Enforcement Detail officers, Freddie Piro, Tiffany Tingerides and Mark Hamer were assigned Unit 25G115. The officers were conducting gang suppression patrol in Southwest Area. At about 9:45 p.m., the officers monitored a radio call regarding a man with a gun in the area Palmyra Road and Hillcrest Drive. As the officers approached the location they heard a gunshot. A brief time later, the officers observed two suspects that matched the description provided in the radio call broadcast, walking out of an alley.

There was a brief foot pursuit in the alley, and during that foot pursuit, one of the suspects fell to the ground. While on the ground, the suspect fired several rounds from his 8-inch barrel, 44-caliber revolver at Officers Tinigrides and Hamer. In defense of their lives, Officers Tinigrides and Hamer fired rounds at the suspect. In defense of his partner’s lives, Officer Piro also fired at the suspect.

The suspect, later identified as 27 year-old Frank Lazos, sustained several gunshot wounds and was transported to Cedar Sinai Medical Center by a Los Angeles City Fire Department rescue ambulance. Doctors anticipate Lazos will recover from his injuries. The second suspect, a 14 year-old male Hispanic juvenile was taken into custody without incident. No officers were injured in conjunction with this incident.

Daniel Santoyo, male Hispanic, 19 years of age, was found murdered in the alley as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators believe Lazos murdered Santoyo just prior to the officers’ arrival.

Lazos has been booked for murder with no bail.

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.