Officer-Involved Shooting Occurs in the Pico Union Area NR13245ne

UPDATEJuly 24, 2013

The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Police Officer III Fernando Flores and Police Officer II Alfredo Aguayo.

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Rampart police officers were monitoring a vigil for a gang member killed in a homicide in the 1800 block of West Pico Boulevard when an officer involved shooting occurred.

On Tuesday, July 16, 2013, shortly before 9:00 p.m., officers in plain clothes were seated in an unmarked plain car parked across from the vigil when they observed the suspect (later identified) as 37 year-old, Juan Diaz Chavez cross the street from the proximity of the vigil and walk eastbound on the north sidewalk toward them.  The suspect appeared to stare at the officers as he walked toward their vehicle causing the officers to focus their attention on him.  As Chavez began to pass their car, he reached into his waistband.  The officers believing Chavez was arming himself, exited their car, drew their duty weapons and identified themselves as police officers.  The suspect removed a blue steel revolver from his waistband at which time an officer involved shooting occurred.

Additionally, the officers reported immediately after the OIS, a muzzle flash and gunfire erupted from the area of the vigil location possibly directed toward them.  The officers broadcast a “Help” request and numerous department resources responded and secured the area.  

Los Angeles City paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced Chavez deceased at scene.  No officers were injured during the incident.

A blue steel .357 caliber Taurus revolver was recovered at the scene, and there were 6 empty casing within the revolver’s cylinder.  

Force Investigation Division responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of 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 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 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.