Southeast Officers Involved Shooting in the City of Gardena NRF018-17cr

***Update***

The off-duty officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Police Officer II Nathaniel Beck, Serial No. 35886, Johnathan Adamson, Serial No. 41189, Patrick Hassell, Serial No. 32763 and Aaron Harrington, Serial No. 41254.

**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**

Gardena: Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that occurred in the City of Gardena late Tuesday evening.

On March 7, 2017, around 8:00 p.m., a male Hispanic suspect (who was later identified as Jose Castro) was involved in a domestic incident with a female victim in the area of Main and 102nd Streets. Castro then armed himself with a large kitchen knife and carjacked a late model white Dodge Ram pick up truck from an additional male victim. Castro and the female victim entered the truck and fled from the area. Southeast Area Patrol officers responded to the location of the Robbery/Grand Theft Auto (GTA), conducted a crime broadcast with the vehicle and suspect description and subsequently completed an Investigative Report.

Shortly there after, around 10:22 p.m., uniformed Southeast Area Gang Enforcement Detail (GED) officers saw Castro driving the pickup truck in the area of 102nd Street and Croesus Avenue and attempted to make a traffic stop. Castro failed to stop and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. Southeast Patrol officers took over as primary and secondary units during the pursuit, accompanied by additional GED units. The pursuit traveled into the City of Gardena and while driving northbound on Broadway towards 140th Street, the primary unit requested and obtained permission from the supervisor in the pursuit to deploy a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) on the pick up truck. The PIT maneuver was successful and the truck spun out, eventually coming to rest on a grass strip in the 14000 block of South Broadway. As the officers tactically deployed, the female victim attempted to flee from within the truck as Castro followed armed with the large knife. Castro began to stab the victim multiple times at which time an OIS occurred.

Castro sustained a gunshot wound and fell onto the sidewalk and was taken into custody without further incident. A large kitchen knife was recovered on the ground near Castro.

Two Los Angeles County contract ambulances responded and transported Castro and the female victim separately to a local hospital for medical treatment. Castro was treated for a gunshot wound and the victim was treated for multiple stab wounds to her back. Both Castro and the victim were subsequently listed in stable condition. No officers or bystanders were injured during this incident.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. FID will also review and collect all available body worn and digital in car video. The Office of the Inspector General and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office had a representative at the scene. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office will also review the evidence collected during the investigation to determine whether any criminal laws were violated.

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.”