Attempt Murder Suspect Aims Guns at Officers; Results in Officer-Involved Shooting NR11446mjf

UPDATE
09-28-11

The officers involved in the shooting on September 26, 2011 are identified as follows:

Police Officer III Marc Ferris, Serial No. 35801, 11-years, 1-month with the Department
Police Officer II Kevin Archer, Serial No. 32148, 16- years with the Department
Police Officer II Oscar Gallo, Serial No. 38947, 4-years with the Department
Police Officer II Erik Owens, Serial No. 40175, 2-years, 4-months with the Department
Police Officer I Tiffany Jessop, Serial No. 40569, 1-year, 3-months with the Department
Police Officer I Nicholas McLaren, Serial No. 40600, 1-year, 1-month with the Department
Police Officer I Jamie Carganilla, Serial No. 40672, 9-months with the Department

The suspect has been identified as 18-year-old Alberto Acosta.

Los Angeles:  An officer-involved shooting occurred after a man armed with two handguns pointed his weapons and fired at LAPD officers.

On September 24, 2011, just after 4:30 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department West Valley and Topanga Area patrol officers responded to radio calls regarding a gang related shooting that had occurred and two people had been shot.  During the search for the suspect, witnesses reported that the shooting suspect had left toward the parking lot located in the 6700 block of Darby Avenue.  The police helicopter searched the area and directed responding officers to the suspects’ location.  The officers contacted the suspect who was a male, Hispanic, later identified as Alberto Acosta, standing behind a parked car.

Both the police helicopter and the officers ordered the suspect to raise his hands and get on the ground; however, the suspect refused to obey the orders given by the police.  The suspect pulled out a revolver and a semi-automatic handgun, holding a gun in each hand resulting in an officer involved shooting.  Shots were fired by officers and the suspect who was struck by the gunfire during the exchange.

The suspect was taken into custody and the officers immediately called for medical assistance.  Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced the suspect dead at the scene. No officers were injured as a result of this incident.  The suspect’s weapons were recovered at the scene by detectives.

Force Investigation Division (FID) responded and is investigating the OIS, and West Valley Homicide is handling the gang shooting investigation of the two citizen victims.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call Force Investigation Division Detective Rick Gonzalez at 213-486-5230.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.