Metropolitan Division Officer-Involved Shooting in Central Division NRF056-21ma

October 21, 2021

The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Police Officer III Eddie Roca, Serial No. 30565, Metropolitan Division and Police Officer III Luis Valle, Serial No. 39185, Metropolitan Division.

Metropolitan Division Officer-Involved Shooting in Central Division NRF056-21ma

**The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that occurred in Central Division.

On October 8, 2021, around 4:10 p.m., LAPD Central Patrol Division began to receive calls regarding a suspect, later identified as Rudy Mondell, involved in multiple violent crimes. The first incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. at 8th Street and Broadway. Mondell had pointed a handgun at a victim’s head, pressing it against the victim’s face, and pulled the trigger. The handgun did not fire. Mondell proceeded to a business in the 700 block of south Broadway. He shot at a group inside the business and a 14-year-old victim sustained a graze wound to his head. Following the shooting, Mondell attempted to kidnap and carjack a victim; fortunately, he was unable to start the car. Mondell fled on foot to 7th Street and Spring Street, where he pushed a victim off a bicycle and brandished a handgun.

As officers arrived in the area, security guards directed officers to Mondell. Mondell fled into an apartment building in the 500 block of South Main Street. Officers established a perimeter and began requesting additional resources including Metropolitan Division, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel. As personnel were arriving, officers learned Mondell had taken a female hostage and was holding her at gunpoint inside an apartment. Mondell was seen pointing the handgun at the hostages’ head. SWAT personnel forced entry into the apartment and an Officer-Involved Shooting occurred.

Mondell was struck by gunfire and pronounced deceased at scene. The handgun he was armed with was recovered by investigators.

The hostage was transported to a local hospital for an evaluation. She was not struck by gunfire during the incident. The 14-year-old who was grazed in the head was treated at a local hospital for the injury.

No officers were injured during the incident.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses and supervised the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division.

The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Board of Police Commissioners, and the Office of the Inspector General to determine the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation and whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures. Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who responded to the scene will review the subsequent FID investigation; evidence collected and witness statements to determine if the force used by the officer was reasonable.