LAPD Officers Encounter a Man Shooting at Victims South Los Angeles NR11439cj

Los Angeles:  An officer-involved shooting occurred after a man was observed by officers shooting at three victims in South Los Angeles.

On September 16, 2011, at around 2:40 p.m., LAPD Southeast patrol officers were northbound on Figueroa Street when they heard possible gunfire coming from the rear of the apartment building in the 12100 block of South Figueroa Street.  The officers approached the location on foot, and observed a man shooting at several victims.  The officers immediately identified themselves and feared for the victim’s lives’, as a result, both officers became involved in a shooting.  The suspect was then taken into custody without further incident.  Two handguns were recovered near the suspect when he was taken into custody.  LAFD rescue personnel responded and transported the victims to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor gunshot wounds.  Both victims were later released from the hospital.  The suspect was also transported to a local hospital for a graze wound to his lower extremities.  Neither officer was injured.

The detective’s investigation revealed that two men and one woman went to the apartment building to pick up a portable barbecue with the permission of the barbecue owner.  The victims were confronted by the suspect, identified as Gerald King and his wife, the manager of the apartment building, over their presence and an argument ensued.  King armed himself with a gun and chased all three victims as they ran away.  King subsequently shot at the two male victims successfully hitting them.  The female victim was not harmed.

King was later released from the hospital for booking.  Southeast Detectives responded and are investigating the assault with a deadly weapon committed by King.  Force Investigation Division personnel responded and are investigating the officer involved shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Southeast Detectives at 213-485-6571.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.