Officer-Involved-Shooting in Topanga Division NRF029-21hg

June 10, 2021

UPDATE

The officers involved in the above incident have been identified as Topanga Patrol Division Police Officer III Emanuel Barbu, Serial No. 41432 and Police Officer I Joshua Swink, Serial No. 44488.

**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 Topanga Division.

On May 29, 2021 around 1 p.m., LAPD Topanga Patrol Division officers responded to a radio call of an "Assault with a Deadly Weapon" in the area of Ventura Boulevard and Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The comments of the radio call stated the suspect, threatened a victim with a handgun. When officers arrived, they located the suspect in the parking lot of a shopping center. The officers gave the suspect commands, however, he refused to comply. The suspect pointed a handgun at the officers, which resulted in an Officer-Involved Shooting. The suspect was not struck by gunfire and was taken into custody without incident.

A handgun was recovered at scene and booked as evidence.

Neither the suspect (later identified as Patrick Colby) nor the 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. A representative from the Office of the Inspector General responded and monitored the scene investigation.

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, representatives from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will review the subsequent FID investigation, evidence collected and witness statements to determine if the force used by the officer was reasonable.