Information on Shooting of LAPD Officer

Los Angeles: A veteran Los Angeles Police Department Officer was shot and injured at a Assault with a Deadly Weapon radio call in the Westlake area in the early morning hours of January 22, 2007. The shooting occurred in the 600 block of South Coronado Street.

Andy Taylor, 37 years old and a 12 year veteran of the Department assigned to Rampart Patrol Division was responding to the call just after 4:30 A.M. During the investigation, an armed suspect shot Officer Taylor. Fellow LAPD officers then became involved in an officer involved shooting (OIS) which resulted in the suspect’s death. Two men and two women were detained for questioning following the shooting.

Later in the day, Senior LAPD management was provided details of the OIS by Force Investigation Division, the investigating entity. The preliminary investigation indicates that the handcuffed suspect was able to retrieve a handgun he had hidden on his person, and use it to shoot Officer Taylor. The weapon was not discovered during a search of the suspect. Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears that four rounds struck Officer Taylor. One round hit the officer’s holstered service pistol. One round hit his LAPD badge. A third round struck his ballistic vest on the right side of his chest, and the fourth round entered an unprotected area under his right arm travelling through his back. Officer Taylor was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he is in stable condition and is expected to fully recover.

There have been approximately 10 Assaults with a Deadly Weapon, involving a firearm, against Los Angeles Police officers in the first 22-days of 2007. Two officers have been wounded by the gunfire. There have been a total of six officer involved shootings this year.

In light of the increased violence against LAPD officers, an Officer Safety Advisory has been forwarded to all Department personnel stressing the importance of employing proper tactics and search techniques.