Suspect Tries to Elude Police – Points Handgun at Officers NR12107kr

March 6, 2012

UPDATE

The officers involved in the below officer involved shooting have been identified as Metropolitan Division Police Officers III Ben McPheeters, 18 years, 6 months with the Department, and Jesus Carrillo, 13 years, 8 months with the Department,

Los Angeles:  Officers were attempting to stop for a traffic violator on a bicycle who failed to stop and instead tried to get away from police before turning and pointing a handgun at officers, resulting in an officer involved shooting.

On March 2, 2012, around 10:40 p.m., Metropolitan Division Police Officers working a crime suppression detail, in full uniform and driving a police vehicle in Harbor Division saw a man riding a bicycle at night with no lights.  They attempted to stop the violator, (later identified as 24-year-old Julien Gonzales), for a traffic infraction of ‘Riding without Lights During Hours of Darkness’.

Gonzales failed to stop for the officers, got off his bike and began walking quickly away from them.  He removed a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the officers.  An officer involved shooting occurred and Gonzales was struck by gunfire.

Gonzales was taken into custody and the Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded and pronounced Gonzales dead at scene.

One of the officers injured his knee seeking cover to avoid being shot by Gonzales.  The officer was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and later released.

A handgun was recovered at the scene.

The LAPD Force Investigation Division responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer-involved shooting and all related crimes.  The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call the FID at 213-486-5230. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.