Los Angeles Police Department

Los Angeles, California

News Release
April 12, 2012 NR12172as

Reckless Driver Leads Police on Chase

Pursuit ends in Officer Involved Shooting Los Angeles: A 19 year old reckless driver led police on a lengthy car chase, resulting in an officer-involved shooting. On April 11th at about 9:45 p.m., a 19 year-old man committed a traffic violation in the Northridge area of Los Angeles. Los Angeles Police Officers (LAPD) observed the traffic violation and attempted to stop the man to issue a traffic citation. The driver failed to stop, and led police officers on a high speed pursuit on surface streets and on the 101 Freeway. During the course of the pursuit, the suspect committed multiple traffic violations, and endangered the public by driving without regard to public safety. While being pursued by the LAPD officers, the suspect called 911 and engaged in a lengthy conversation with the 911 operator. Among the statements he made were: I have a gun. Ive been arrested before for possession of destructive devices, Im not afraid of the cops. If they pull their guns, Im gonna have to pull my gun out on them. The 911 dispatcher implored the suspect to stop, telling him, I dont want you to hurt yourself. The suspect responded, Im not gonna get hurt S---head, F--- these police, theyre gonna get hurt. The pursuit terminated on the 101 Freeway near Canoga Avenue, when the suspect initiated the stop with the officers. The suspect picked both the time and place for this tragic incident to occur. Immediately upon exiting his car, the suspect took what appeared to be an aggressive shooting stance several times, extending his arms out, and pointing an unknown object at the officers. This caused the officer at the scene to believe he was armed with a handgun. Contrary to the suspects statements to the 911 operator, and contrary to his actions at the scene, the preliminary investigation indicates he did not have a gun at the time the Officer Involved Shooting occurred. Incidents involving Officer Involved Shootings are investigated by the LAPDs Force Investigation Division, and are the most detailed and comprehensive Officer Involved Shooting investigations in the nation.
100 West First Street Los Angeles California 90012 Office: (213) 486-5910 Fax: (213) 486-5925 Email: pio@lapd.lacity.org

Los Angeles Police Department

Los Angeles, California

News Release
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 Departments use-of-force policy which states that an officers 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 (800-2228477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-ES 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.
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100 West First Street Los Angeles California 90012 Office: (213) 486-5910 Fax: (213) 486-5925 Email: pio@lapd.lacity.org