Officer Involved Shooting Occurred During a Domestic Violence Dispute
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, March 29, 2000
"Officer Involved Shooting at Scene of Domestic Violence"
Los Angeles--On March 28, 2000, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Hollenbeck Area uniformed patrol Officers Jeffrey Mares, Serial No. 31233, 28 years of age, five years with the Department, and Douglas Pierce, Serial No. 32799, 33 years of age, four years with the Department, responded to a "Domestic Dispute" radio call at 134 ½ Soto Street. While approaching the location the officers observed a child in the window of the apartment. The child advised the officers that the suspect was inside the apartment. At this time the officers heard a woman's voice screaming from inside the apartment. The officers knocked on the door and identified themselves as police officers. After getting no response, the officers forced their way into the apartment through the front door.
Upon entering the apartment, the officers observed the suspect standing next to the victim. The suspect immediately put his arm around the victim's neck and the officers observed a screwdriver in the suspect's free hand. The officers ordered the suspect to drop the screwdriver but instead he began stabbing the victim in her right flank area. The officers continued to order the suspect to drop the knife but he refused to comply and continued to stab the victim. In fear for the victim's life, Officer Mares fired one round at the suspect with his service pistol. The suspect continued to stab at the victim. Mares, fearing for the victim's life, fired one additional round at the suspect. At this time the suspect relinquished his grip on the victim and she was able to flee to an adjoining room. The suspect was then taken into custody without further incident.
The suspect sustained gunshot wounds to his upper torso and he was transported to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition. Neither officer was injured during this incident.
The suspect's eight inch flathead screwdriver was recovered at the scene. The suspect, identified as Cristobal Garcia, 27 years of age, will be booked for assault with a deadly weapon.
Robbery Homicide Division is conducting the investigation.
For further information contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.
For Release 1:00 pm PST
March 29, 2000
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