Newton Area Officer-Involved Shooting NRF046-17bm

June 22, 2017

Update:
August 3, 2017

The following officers involved in below incident have been identified as follows:

Police Officer III Jennifer Nodes, Serial No. 38200 assigned to Newton. The following officers are assigned to Metropolitan Division, Police Officer III Matthew Clymer, Serial No. 35204, Martin Higuera, Serial No. 32277, Gerardo Velasco, Serial No. 35954, Luis Urbina, Serial No. 38969, Rene Gonzalez, Serial No. 37128, Timothy McCarty, Serial No. 31238, Daniel Sanchez, Serial No. 27159, Bruce Adam, Serial No. 30978, Benjamin Santero, Serial No. 32805, Jennifer Grasso, Serial No. 32275, Joseph Goosby, Serial No. 35124 and Eric Esturban, Serial no. 36080.

**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: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an officer involved shooting (OIS) that occurred in Newton Area on Thursday afternoon.

On June 15, 2017, around 5:50 p.m., uniformed officers from LAPD’s Metropolitan Division were conducting a parole/probation compliance check in the 400 block of 49th Street. As occupants of the residence were exiting, one individual who remained inside, Jose Rauda, fired shots at the officers; at which time there was an OIS.

Rauda exited a rear window and fired at officers who were at the rear of the residence. The officers fired at Rauda, who fled. The officers established a perimeter and began searching the area for Rauda. During that search, Rauda shot a K9 who was struck in the left hind leg. Officers determined that Rauda was hiding inside a shed in the backyard of a residence. Rauda fired at officers conducting the search and a third OIS occurred. One officer was struck on his ballistic helmet. The officers deployed a beanbag shotgun and took Rauda into custody without further incident.

The officer struck on the ballistic helmet was evaluated by medical personnel and released at scene. No other officers were injured during this incident. Rauda was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for facial lacerations and pain to his right wrist.

Officers recovered a .44 Magnum revolver from inside the shed where Rauda was located.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. FID will also review and collect all available body worn and digital in car video. The Office of the Inspector General and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office had a representative at the scene. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office will also review the evidence collected during the investigation to determine whether any criminal laws were violated.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged to call the LAPD at any of the following numbers: During business hours at (213) 486-5230; During non-business hours or on weekends at (877) LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247), Anonymously 24-hours a day to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or by texting “LAPD” and your tip to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S); or Online at www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.