Off-Duty Officer Shoots at Burglary Suspect NRF016-16ma

April 5, 2016

**The following information is based on a preliminary, 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**

San Gabriel: On March 15, 2016 an off-duty Los Angeles Police lieutenant was involved in an officer involved shooting after he found two suspects inside his residence. As the suspects fled, one reached for his waistband, at which time the lieutenant fired a semi-automatic handgun at the suspect and the suspect fell to the ground.

On March 15, 2016 at approximately 10:15 a.m. Pacific Division Lieutenant I Joseph Sanchez was off-duty in a private residence in San Gabriel. Sanchez heard footsteps in the residence and armed himself with a semi-automatic handgun. Sanchez confronted two suspects inside the residence. The suspects fled through a kitchen window. As Sanchez stood near the window the suspect had fled through, he saw one of them reach for his waistband, at which time Sanchez fired at the suspect.

One suspect was detained in the driveway of the residence and the other suspect fled the area. Shortly after the officer involved shooting, a suspect suffering from a gunshot wound was taken into custody at a local hospital and two additional suspects were detained during a traffic stop.

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department investigators responded and are investigating the hot-prowl burglary. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office will also review the evidence collected during the investigation to determine whether any criminal laws were violated. LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division is conducting a thorough investigation of the officer involved shooting which will be presented to the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force and tactics employed by the officer complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures.

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.