Officer-Involved-Shooting in Rampart Division NRF017-23lr

UPDATE
May 5, 2023

The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Devonshire Division Police Officer II Jeremiah Brown, Serial #44572, and Southeast Division Police Officer II Ivan Chavez, Serial #44133.

**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 Rampart Division.

On May 2, 2023, around 9:40 a.m., uniformed officers working a Transit Services Division detail at the Redline Metro Station located at Vermont Avenue and Beverly Boulevard were approached by Victim No. 1, an 18-year-old, male, Hispanic, who informed the officers a suspect, later identified as 23-year-old Mason Todd Swenor, had brandished a knife at him.  Victim No. 1, showed the officers a photograph of Swenor on his cell phone and directed the officers to Swenor’s location.  The officers’ proceeded up to the lower-level mezzanine, where they observed Swenor who was also in possession of a knife.

The officers made contact with Swenor and repeatedly ordered him to drop the knife, however, Swenor failed to comply with the officers’ commands.  Swenor fled to the upper-level mezzanine, where he approached Victim No. 2, a 74-year-old, female, Hispanic and struck her in the head with an unknown object.  The officers continued to pursue Swenor up to the street level.  Swenor continued north on Vermont Avenue from Beverly Boulevard and while on the sidewalk, Swenor stabbed Victim No. 3, a 61-year-old, male, Hispanic, on his left shoulder.

As Swenor continued to flee and ran across the street into the rear parking lot of the building located near the 300 Block of N. Vermont Avenue.  Swenor positioned himself in front of a parked vehicle, while still in possession of the knife.  The officers pursued Swenor to the parking lot and positioned themselves at the rear of the vehicle.  The officers continued to give commands ordering Swenor to drop the knife, however, he refused to comply.  With the knife in his hand, Swenor charged at one of the officers resulting in an officer involved shooting.  Swenor was struck by the officers’ gunfire; he fell to the ground and dropped the knife.  Swenor was taken into custody without further incident.

Photograph of knife recovered at scene

Swenor was transported to a local hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.  Swenor is listed in critical, but stable condition.  Victim No. 1 was not injured during this incident.  Victim No. 2 received medical treatment at a hospital and was released.  Victim No. 3 was hospitalized for a laceration and is in stable condition.  Swenor is a resident of Glendale, AZ and he was booked for 664/187(A) – Attempted Murder (Booking No. 6597136).  His bail was set at $2,125,000.00.

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.