Car-Jacking Results in Officer Involved Shooting

September 23, 2003

 

Los Angeles: On Monday September 23, 2003, at about 9:00 p.m., Harbor Division Officer Michael Villareal, 32 years of age, 8 ½ years with the Department, was driving a marked black and white police vehicle assigned to Harbor Division with his partner.
The officers monitored a radio call relative to a car jacking that had recently occurred. The suspects in the car jacking had used a stainless steel semi-automatic handgun and stole a black Infinity Q45 at gunpoint from the victim. The Infinity Q45’s license plate number was also given in the radio broadcast. As the officers searched for the stolen car they drove north on Belle Porte Avenue from Pacific Coast Highway. The officers saw the stolen car drive east in the area of 256th Street then north on Belle Porte Avenue. Officers observed 3-4 occupants in the vehicle. The officers notified dispatch that they were following the stolen Infinity and requested a back-up unit and an air unit.
The Infinity turned east into an apartment complex driveway in the 25000 block of Belle Porte Avenue. The vehicle suddenly stopped in the driveway and 3-4 suspects got out of the vehicle and ran in various directions, including a male Black suspect subsequently identified as subject Max McDaniel 16 years of age.
McDaniel exited the Infinity with what appeared to be a stainless steel pistol in his hand. McDaniel ran toward Officer Villareal, who was now standing outside of his police vehicle. Officer Villareal drew his service pistol and ordered McDaniel to drop the gun. McDaniel refused to comply and pointed the gun at Officer Villareal. In defense of his life, Officer Villareal fired his pistol at McDaniel, who was wounded and incapacitated.
A replica of a stainless steel semi-automatic handgun was recovered at the scene of the shooting.
Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and transported McDaniel to a local hospital where he subsequently died.
No Officers were injured in the incident.
A perimeter was established and Metropolitan Division K9 Officers were summoned to the scene to search for the suspects. The other suspects were not found.
The investigation of this incident is ongoing and is being conducted by the Department’s Critical Incident Investigation Division and Robbery Homicide Division.
For further information, contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586. This press release was prepared by Officer Renee’ Montoya, LAPD Media Relations Section.