Suspect Injured while Fighting with Officers

April 15, 2008

Los Angeles: A suspect sustained a minor head injury during a struggle with police officers.

On Friday, April 11, 2008 at around 11:30 p.m., Hollenbeck officers responded to a Los Angeles Fire Department request for help at the scene of a domestic violence incident. Juan Carlos Lupercio, 37, was holding a female victim at knifepoint. The officers ordered Lupercio to drop the knife and he refused to do so. The female victim managed to get away from Lupercio and the officers tried to take him into custody. Lupercio refused to drop the knife and moved towards the officers. A Taser and a collapsible baton were used as the suspect fought and advanced towards the officers. During the struggle, the suspect was unintentionally struck with the collapsible baton in the head area and received a minor injury.

Lupercio was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.

During the struggle with the female, the suspect’s five-day old baby was accidentally dropped to the floor and was hospitalized for observation. The common law wife (female victim) sustained a knife wound to her hand and was treated at a local hospital.

Force Investigation Division is handling the investigation.