Struggle for Officers Gun Results in Officer Involved Shooting NRf049-16ma

**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**

Hollywood: Officers responded to a radio call and were involved in a violent confrontation with the suspect. The suspect placed one officer in a choke hold and attempted to disarm another officer; resulting in an officer involved shooting.

On Tuesday, August 2, 2016, around 1:15 a.m., Hollywood Patrol Division Police Officers Eui Joung, Serial No. 39150 and Raina Foster, Serial No. 40721 responded to a business dispute radio call at a business in the 5400 block of West Sunset Boulevard. The officers met with the manager at the business and were told the suspect, 29-year-old Daniel Mast, was trying to use a fraudulent check to purchase items. With the intention of handcuffing Mast, the officers approached him near the cash registers. As the officers prepared to handcuff Mast, he turned and charged at the officers, at which time they all fell to the floor. During the altercation, Mast struck Officer Joung several times about the face and head, dazing Officer Joung. Mast continued to fight with Officer Joung, at which time Officer Joung, fearing for his life, armed himself with his weapon and fired twice at Mast. Mast was struck at least once. Mast subsequently turned his attention to Officer Foster and placed Officer Foster in a choke hold, wrapping his right arm around her throat, and was saying that he was going to kill her. As Officer Foster broke free from the choke hold, Mast grabbed Officer Joung’s handgun, which was unholstered, and was trying to take the handgun from Officer Joung. As Officer Joung and Mast were struggling for control of the handgun, Officer Foster fired one round at Mast, striking him in the right leg. Mast continued to be combative with the officers. Additional patrol officers arrived and a TASER was needed to take Mast into custody.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene to provide medical treatment. Mast was transported to a local hospital and treated for a gunshot wound to his right leg and a graze wound to his left torso. Officer Juong was transported to a local hospital and treated for a fractured left orbital, concussion and laceration above his left eyebrow. Officer Foster received medical treatment for pain and abrasions to her left knee and neck pain.

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office filed two counts of Attempted Murder on a Police Officer, two counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer and one count of Forgery.

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.