Officer Involved Shooting in Southwest NRF067-15ne

September 16, 2015 NRF067-15rh

Update

The officer involved in below incident has been identified as Police Officer II Brett Ramirez, Serial No. 41223.

**The following information is based on a preliminary, ongoing investigation which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the incident may change as the investigation continues and additional evidence is collected and analyzed.**

Los Angeles: On August 12, 2015, around 1:43 p.m., Southwest Area patrol officers responded to a “Robbery Suspect Just Left” radio call in the 3700 block of Santa Rosalia Drive. The comments of the radio call indicated the suspect was a female Black wearing a purple scarf and armed with a large knife.

At around 2 p.m., the officers observed an individual matching the robbery suspect description walking on Santo Tomas Drive just west of Marlton Avenue. The suspect ran from the officers as they exited their police vehicles. The officers chased the suspect northbound into the alley. The officers observed the suspect arm herself with a large knife and they began to give her commands to drop it. The suspect refused to comply, and continued to flee before she suddenly stopped and turned toward the officers.

The suspect began to advance toward the officers still armed with the knife. One officer deployed a TASER device at the suspect and an officer involved shooting occurred. The suspect was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground where she was taken into custody by responding units without further incident.

Paramedics with Los Angeles Fire Department Rescue Ambulance responded, rendered medical aid, and determined she was deceased.

A large knife was recovered in the alley near where the suspect fell. No officers were injured. Additionally, currency and a robbery demand note were recovered from the suspect’s clothing.

(The suspect’s name has not been released because the next of kin has not been notified by the Department or the Los Angeles County Coroner.)

Force Investigation Division investigators 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 Departments 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.