Fleeing Suspect Points Handgun at Officers

July 1, 2008

Los Angeles: A robbery suspect pointed a handgun at a pursuing officer while running from the officer.

On Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at around 8:40 p.m., 77th Division officers responded to a robbery that had just occurred at the McDonald’s Restaurant in the 7100 block of South Crenshaw Boulevard. The officers saw the suspect’s vehicle, a black Camaro, driving eastbound on Florence Avenue and followed it a short distance.

As the vehicle neared 71st Street and Gramercy Place, the driver pulled to the curb and the front seat passenger, Fernando Ochoa, 22-years of age, immediately got out of the vehicle, and began running. Police Officer Brian Swaim ran after the suspect. After a brief chase, Ochoa stopped and turned on Officer Swaim, pointing a handgun at him.

Officer Swaim, in immediate defense of his life, fired his service weapon at Ochoa, striking him in the upper torso. Ochoa fell to the ground and was taken into custody without further incident.The driver of the vehicle, Karina Ramirez, 21-years of age was taken into custody by Officer Swaim’s partner without a struggle. Neither of the officers was injured.

Ochoa was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries and was listed in stable condition. He was subsequently booked for Attempt Murder on a Police Officer and Robbery and is being held on $1,000,000 bail. Ramirez was arrested and booked for Robbery and misdemeanor warrants and is being held on $52,000 bail.

Anyone with information regarding the robbery should contact 77th Division Detectives at 213-485-4175. On weekends and off hours, please call 1-877-LAWFULL.
Force Investigation Division is handling the Attempt Murder of Officer Swaim and the Officer Involved Shooting.