Los Angeles: On September 21, 2004, at about 6:45 p.m., Police Officers II David Manning, 37 years of age, five years with the Department, and Scott Burkett, 35 years of age, eight years with the Department, assigned to Southeast Patrol Division, were conducting a battery investigation on Bellhaven Street east of Clovis Avenue in the Watts area of Southeast. During the officers’ investigation, Burkett witnessed a male Black, later identified as Isaac Hill, driving a Toyota Camry in the intersection of Clovis Avenue and 116th Street. Hill stopped his vehicle and fired a small caliber rifle at a male Hispanic, later identified as Jorge Diaz. As Hill drove away, Burkett, believing Hill just shot Diaz, fired six rounds at Hill’s vehicle. Hill escaped and his vehicle was later recovered approximately one mile away. There was no evidence that Hill was struck with any of the rounds fired by Burkett.

A Los Angeles City Fire Department Rescue Ambulance was summoned and transported Diaz to King-Drew Medical Center where he died of his injuries.

Investigators from the Los Angeles Police Department, Force Investigation Division, are conducting the investigation into the officer involved shooting. Investigators from Southeast Homicide Unit are conducting the investigation into the drive-by shooting.

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