Los Angeles: On Thursday, September 9, 2004, at approximately 11:25 a.m., detectives assigned to Major Crimes Division, Special Investigation Squad (SIS) were conducting a surveillance of a known home invasion robbery suspect. He was identified as 25 year-old Roger Mills and also a suspect in a home invasion robbery in the West Valley Area that occurred on June 6, 2004.

SIS detectives followed Mills as he picked up his girlfriend, identified as 19 year-old Tracy Hernandez and a friend, 22 year-old Maxim Kushnir. SIS detectives observed the three suspects commit a residential burglary in West Valley Area. SIS detectives followed the suspects, as they were northbound on Woodman Avenue approaching Oxnard Street. The detectives stopped their vehicle near the intersection of Woodman Avenue and Oxnard Street. After the suspects exited their vehicle, an officer involved shooting occurred. Detective James Harris, 55 years of age and 31 years with the Department, fired one round from his Department issued 12-gauge shotgun, striking Mills on his left side.

Los Angeles City Fire Department Paramedics responded and transported Mills to Holy Cross Hospital where he was operated for a shotgun wound. Mills survived and is in intensive care at Holy Cross Hospital.

All three suspects were booked for residential burglary.

This news release was prepared by Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.