Transit Services Division Officer-Involved Shooting at Hope/7th Str NRF013-19ma

UPDATE: The personnel involved in the below incident have been identified as Police Officer III Jaime Luna, Serial No. 34651 and Police Officer III Bradley Nielson, Serial No. 36445, assigned to Metropolitan Division.

**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**

Downtown Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division is investigating an officer-involved shooting which occurred in Central Division.

On April 14, 2019, around 2:15 p.m., officers assigned to a detail with Transit Services Division received information that a man who was wanted for carjacking was possibly in the area they were assigned. One of the officers had knowledge of this violent suspect, 47-year-old William Crawford, and saw a man he believed could be Crawford at a kiosk at the Metro Center Station subway. The officers followed Crawford out of the station to the street level on 7th Street near Flower Street. Crawford looked back in the direction of the officers and began running eastbound on 7th Street. Crawford ran southbound on Hope Street, stopped and reached into a backpack he was carrying. He removed a shotgun from the backpack and pointed it at one of the officers, which resulted in an officer-involved shooting.

Crawford was struck by gunfire and determined to be deceased at scene by Los Angeles Fire Department personnel. No officers were injured during the incident. A shotgun loaded with two shotgun shells and twelve additional shotguns shells were recovered by detectives at the scene.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. Representatives from the Office of the Inspector General and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division responded and monitored the investigation.

The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and 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 the LAPD’s policies and procedures. Additionally, representatives from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who responded to the scene will review the subsequent FID investigation; evidence collected and witness statements to determine if the force used by the officer(s) violated any criminal laws.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged to call the LAPD at any of the following numbers:

During business hours at (213) 486-5230; During non-business hours or on weekends at (877) LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247); Anonymously 24-hours a day to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or by texting “LAPD” and your tip to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S); or Online at www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.