Officer-Involved Shooting in Hollywood Division – NRF022-22bb

September 23, 2022

***UPDATE***

The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Hollywood Patrol Division Police Officer II Jason Nichols, Serial No. 42595 and Police Officer II Jose Rivera, Serial No. 42137.

**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) in Hollywood Division.

On June 8, 2022, around 4:00 p.m., Hollywood Division patrol officers responded to a radio call of three burglary suspects at a residence in the 2000 block of Paramount Drive. When officers arrived at scene they detained two suspects while the third suspect fled on foot. A perimeter was established, and a description of the outstanding suspect was broadcast.

Approximately one hour later, officers on the perimeter observed a male who matched the suspect’s description, walking south on Highland Avenue. Officers broadcast their observation and attempted to detain the suspect. The suspect turned and ran southbound on Highland Avenue. The officers went in foot pursuit of the suspect. During the foot pursuit the suspect produced a handgun and an Officer-Involved-Shooting occurred. The suspect was struck by gunfire, dropped the handgun and ran back onto Highland Avenue, attempting to force his way into multiple occupied vehicles. The suspect continued running south toward Franklin Avenue where he was Tased and then tackled by additional officers.

The suspect, later identified as 27-year-old Anthony Huapaya, a resident of Los Angeles, was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to the arm. He was treated and absentee booked.

Huapaya’s loaded 9mm Polymer 80 Ghost Gun was recovered at scene and will be booked as evidence. No officers or bystanders 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.