Officer Involved Shooting of Armed Suspect

Los Angeles: On Thursday, May 9, 2002, at approximately 7:20 PM, South Traffic Division Uniformed Motorcycle Officers Brian Brown, 36 years of age, 14 years with the Department and Kevin Smith, 36 years of age, 12 years with the Department, were on patrol in the area of Cimarron Street and Slauson Avenue. They observed Levy Carter, who was driving a car, commit a traffic violation. Gary Green was a passenger in the car. The officers followed the car and activated their emergency lights to stop the vehicle for the violation. One officer stopped the car on Ruthelen Street where Carter and Green immediately got out of the vehicle. Green walked toward the officers in an aggressive manner. Officer Smith ordered Green to stop and place his hands on his head. Green stopped, then placed his hands on the top of their car. He then removed his hands from the vehicle and reached into his pants pocket. Officer Smith, fearing that Green was about to arm himself, drew his service pistol and ordered Green to stop. Green ran east, through the houses.
Carter entered his car and drove off at a high rate of speed. Both officers pursued Carter, who lost control of his vehicle and collided with a fence at 5612 Wilton Place. As Carter exited his car, Officer Smith observed the butt of a handgun protruding from Carter’s pants pocket. Officer Smith notified his partner of the gun. Officer Brown drew his service pistol and accidentally discharged it. There were no injuries as a result of the discharge. Carter then ran a short distance away from the officers, climbed over a fence and turned toward Officer Brown and grasped the gun in his pants pocket. Officer Brown, fearing Carter was about to arm himself and shoot at him, fired multiple rounds at Carter, wounding and incapacitating him. Carter was taken into custody without further incident.
Carter was transported by paramedics to a local hospital where he was treated and released for booking. He was subsequently booked for 245 PC (Assault with a Firearm on a Police Officer) at Los Angeles County, USC Medical Center Jail Ward. Green was booked on an unrelated felony warrant for a firearms violation.
A fully loaded .45 caliber handgun was recovered from Carter’s pants pocket. Narcotics were recovered from his sock. No officers were injured as a result of this incident.
Robbery Homicide Division is conducting the criminal investigation and Critical Incident Investigation Division is conducting the administrative investigation regarding the officer involved shooting. For further information contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.