Officer-Involved Shooting in North Hollywood NR13058cj

March 1, 2013   

Update:  The officer involved in this incident has been identified as Police Officer III Juan Galvan.

UPDATE

Updated: A preliminary investigation revealed that on February 26, 2013, around 2:00 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department, Force Investigation Division (FID) investigators did not recover a handgun.

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Force Investigation Division (FID) is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred near Vineland Avenue and Archwood Street in North Hollywood.

On February 24, 2013, around 6:45 p.m., a woman was attempting to park her car on the street when a man approached her and threatened to kill her. As the suspect threatened her, the victim saw him reach into a bag he was holding with his right hand. It appeared to the Victim that the Suspect was arming himself with a gun. In fear for her life, the Victim drove away from the location and called 911, reporting a man with a gun.

Around 6:55 p.m., LAPD North Hollywood Area patrol officers responded to Vineland Avenue north of Archwood Street where they saw the suspect standing in the southbound lanes of traffic. The suspect was facing away from the officers holding a bag under his arm. The officers stopped their vehicle and ordered the suspect to stop and drop the bag. The suspect ignored the officers commands and then, he continued to advance toward the officers, repeatedly threatening to kill the officers, failing to comply with directions to stop. As the suspect continued to advance on the officers he began to pull his hand out from the bag he was carrying and an officer involved shooting ensued.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded and transported the suspect, 26-year-old Moises DeLaTorre to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. There were no injuries to the victim or the involved officers.

The Los Angeles Police Department, Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the incident and will be handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting. The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Office of the Inspector General, and The 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 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 Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (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.