Officer-Involved Shooting at Universal City Walk NR14186bm

May 12, 2014

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) North Hollywood area officers encountered a man with a gun at the “Universal City Walk” resulting in an officer involved shooting.

On May 12, 2014, around 1:15 a.m., officers from North Hollywood Division responded to a radio call for a “415 Group” at the Universal City Walk.  When the officers arrived at the location, they observed a large crowd in the lower level shopping area.  While at scene, the officers tried to determine the nature of their call, when gunshots erupted in the crowd.  The officers immediately took cover and tried to locate the source of the gunfire.

While still in a position of cover, the officers encountered a male suspect who was armed with a weapon at which time an officer involved shooting occurred. The suspect was later identified as  21-year-old James Renee White Jr.

Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced the suspect dead. No officers were injured and a gun was recovered at scene.

Los Angeles Police Department Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the incident and will be handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Office of the Inspector General and The 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.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division 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.