Olympic Area Officers Conducting a Narcotics Investigation, Shot at Multiple Times by a Man Driving a Stolen Car NR11599SF

Los Angeles: On December 21, 2011, at around 6:20 p.m., officers assigned to the Olympic Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail, were conducting an investigation near Berendo Street and Washington Boulevard, when they located a stolen car.  The officers set up surveillance on the stolen vehicle and requested a black and white patrol unit to assist with the investigation.  At around 7:15 p.m., 19-year-old Edgar Gonzalez, got into the stolen car and drove away.  The officers immediately followed the suspect and requested additional officers and an air ship.  

As the officers followed the suspect, they saw Gonzalez collide with a car that was stopped at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Vermont Avenue.  The suspect got out of the car, pointed a handgun at the officers and fired multiple times.  An officer involved shooting occurred and Gonzalez was struck by gunfire.  Suspect Gonzalez was transported to a local hospital by Rescue Ambulance, but died shortly after arriving to the hospital.  

A revolver was recovered at the scene and no officers were injured during this incident.

The officers involved in the above officer-involved shooting have been identified as:

Police Officer III Daniel Chavez, Police Officer III Susan Garcia, Police Officer II Gregorio Rangel, Police Officer II Ruben Quintanar, Police Officer III Wusbaldo Batres, Police Officer I David Camacho, Police Officer II Jason Clark, Police Officer II Steve Kim, Police Officer III Wil Lopez, Police Officer II Juan Manzo, Police Oficer II Celestino Johnson, Police Officer II Seth Goldstein and Police Officer II Graham Dawson.

The LAPD’s Force Investigation Division responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer-involved shooting and all related crimes.   

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 officers’ 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 about this incident is urged to call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers 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.