Murder Suspect in Critical Condition after O.I.S. on the 5 Fwy NRF002-16rh

UPDATE

Updated: The detectives involved in the below incident have been identified as Detective II Peter Miranda, Serial No. 35101 and Detective II Marcelo Raffi, Serial No. 30296.

**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 is collected and analyzed.**

Los Angeles: On January 4, 2016, around 3 p.m., a task force of investigative entities attempted to arrest the suspect. He was found in the Sunland area by undercover officers who were conducting a follow-up to locate him.

During the follow-up by detectives, the suspect, later identified as Artyom Gasparyan, discovered that he was being watched, at which point he fled in his silver Volkswagen at a high rate of speed. Gasparyan entered the northbound 5 freeway and drove southbound against the lawful flow of traffic. Gasparyan showed no regards for the safety of the other drivers while he was fleeing from the detectives.

As a result, Gasparyan hit a vehicle, injuring a woman and children. Gasparyan ran on foot after the collision in an attempt to run away from detectives attempting to arrest him. While running, Mr. Gasparyan armed himself with a handgun at which point and officer involved shooting occurred.

Gasparyan was injured and officers requested a rescue ambulance. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The woman and children were treated for minor injuries and no officers were injured. Gasparyan’s handgun was recovered at scene.

He was wanted in connection with a series of violent crimes that have occurred throughout the County of Los Angeles. The crimes include robbery, carjacking, attempt murder, and murder.

The series of crimes began on December 6, 2015, in the northeast area of Los Angeles, with the most recent incident, a carjacking, occurring on January 1, 2016 in the city of Carson.

Gasparyan committed these crimes in the cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, West Hollywood, and Carson.

Gasparyan has been identified as committing a number of these crimes with Daniel Ramirez who was taken into custody in Long Beach, after a standoff with police in which he shot two individuals, stabbed another, and then shot himself.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief of Police, Chief Beck, made Gasparyan’s arrest a priority and assigned over 100 detectives and officers to specifically capture Artyom Gasparyan. He was a dangerous individual and his capture has made the community a safer place.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the incident and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic and other evidence. FID’s ongoing investigation will include interviews of additional witnesses, statements from the involved officers, collection and analysis of any video evidence, examination of the weapons, ballistics comparisons, analysis of clothing, and DNA comparisons.

The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the uses of force complied with LAPD”s policies and procedures. In addition, the Los Angeles County district Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the incident to determine whether any of the officers’ actions violated California criminal statutes.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call LAPD’s 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 www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”