Violent Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested; Officer Involved Shooting NRF020-16ma

**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 facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**

Los Angeles: On Sunday, April 3, 2016, around 3:35 a.m., Rampart Patrol officers responded to a radio call of a woman screaming in the 1300 block of Ingraham Street.

The officers were in the area of the radio call when they heard screaming coming from inside a dark-colored SUV. The officers saw a male suspect in the rear of the vehicle assaulting a female who was also in the rear of the vehicle. The victim was valiantly fighting the suspect. The officers tried to open the doors of the suspect’s vehicle, but they were locked. Officers used their batons to break the vehicle’s side windows in an attempt to render aid to the victim.

The suspect climbed into the driver’s seat of the vehicle, started the vehicle, and accelerated toward Officer Jhoel DeJesus, a fourteen year veteran of the Department. Officer DeJesus fired one shot from his service pistol at the suspect. The suspect vehicle continued to flee from the officers. The officers pursued the vehicle but lost sight of it. The officers located the victim in the area of James M. Wood Boulevard and Columbia Avenue. The officers immediately stopped to render aid to the victim. The suspect was not struck by gunfire.

Robbery-Homicide Division assumed the investigation of the crimes against the female victim. The FBI assisted RHD resulting in the identification and arrest of Dartanyun Smith, 39 years old, on April 9, 2016. He was booked for kidnap/rape along with gang enhancements.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division is conducting a thorough investigation of the officer-involved shooting which will be presented to the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force and tactics employed by the officers complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office will also review the evidence collected during the investigation to determine whether any criminal laws were violated.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged to call the LAPD at any of the following numbers:

During business hours at (213) 486-5230; During non-business hours or on weekends at (877)-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247); Anonymously 24-hours a day to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or by texting “LAPD” and your tip to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S); or Online at www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.