Armed Suspect Shoots at Officers, Officer Returns Fire NR10550js

Los Angeles:  A 26-year-old man pointed a handgun and opened fire on two Los Angeles Police officers, which resulted in an officer involved shooting.

On November 17, 2010, at about 12:40 p.m., Harbor Area police officers drove to the 800 block of W. Santa Cruz Street to investigate a report of a possible armed suspect, who was later identified as Jesse Perez.  

As the officers, who were assigned to Harbor Area Gang Detectives, drove by the location, Perez walked down the driveway.  He then drew a handgun and opened fire on the officers.  An officer involved shooting then occurred.  

Perez ran from the location and officers set up a perimeter.  After a lengthy search by Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers and canine, officers were unable to locate Perez within the perimeter.  The weapon was not recovered.  

Neither the suspect nor officers were injured as a result of the incident.  

The officers involved in the shooting are Police Officer III Andrew Gonzalez, 10 years and 11 months with the Department, and Police Officer II Scott Coffee, 5 years and 8 months with the Department.  

LAPD’s Force Investigation Division (FID) is investigating the officer involved shooting.  The FID Criminal Apprehension Team worked in coordination with Harbor Detectives and later located and arrested Perez for attempt murder of a police officer.
 
If anyone has any information that would be helpful in this case please contact Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230.