Los Angeles - On Tuesday, May 15, 2001, at approximately 6:05 p.m., a Northeast Area Patrol Officer was patrolling in the area of Riverdale and Blake Avenues. She observed a male Hispanic driving a vehicle. She recognized the individual, from a "Crime Alert Bulletin," as a suspect wanted for attempted murder of a California Highway Patrol Officer. The suspect's name was Armando Padernal, 19 years of age. The officer drove behind the suspect. He accelerated and attempted to evade the officer. The officer pursued the suspect a short distance. The suspect stopped and ran from the vehicle. The officer broadcast the suspect's direction of travel and responding officers observed him run through the houses at Riverdale and Crystal Avenues. A containment perimeter was established and canine units were summoned and began a search.

The suspect was located hiding in a trash can at the rear of a residence in the 2400 block of Meadowvale Avenue. The suspect was ordered to surrender. He refused and began shooting at officers with two handguns. Officer John Harrison, 37 years of age, 12 years with the Department, was wounded by the suspect's gunfire. Metropolitan Division Officers Hans Almaraz, 32 years of age, 11 years with the Department; Leonard Perez, 36 years of age, 11 years with the Department; Yvette Tuning, 29 years of age, 6 years with the Department and Sergeant Scott Defoe, 35 years of age, 11 years with the Department returned gunfire, fatally wounding the suspect.

During the attack, the suspect shot Officer Harrison who sustained a through-and-through shot to his right leg above his right knee and a gunshot wound to his right hand middle finger. Officer Harrison was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for his wounds and admitted in satisfactory condition.

The suspect, who was positively identified as the attempted murder suspect, Armando Padernal, had an additional warrant for his arrest for a parole violation. Three (3) handguns were recovered from Padernal at the scene of the incident.

The Critical Incident Investigation Division, Officer-Involved Shooting Section detectives are investigating the incident. For further information regarding this press release, please call Media Relations at 213-485-3586. This press release was prepared by Lieutenant Rick Papke.