Northeast Area Officer Involved Shooting NRF067-16ne

**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 October 23. 2016 around 12:55 a.m. Northeast Area Gang Enforcement Detail Police Officer III Hector Cortez, Serial No. 39540 and his partner were in the area of Sutherland Street and Sunset Boulevard when they observed a large group of males involved in an altercation. The officers stopped to investigate and, upon exiting their police vehicle, observed a male Hispanic, later identified as Andres Ramirez, holding a revolver.Fearing Ramirez was going to shoot someone in the group, Officer Cortez fired his handgun once at Ramirez. The round however missed Ramirez and he ran from the officers to a nearby gas station. Officer Cortez pursued Ramirez and as Ramirez ran around a gas pump he looked in the direction of Officer Cortez; at which time Officer Cortez fired twice at Ramirez. Ramirez was struck and fell to the ground.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded and Ramirez was transported to a local hospital. Ramirez was listed in stable condition.

No officers were injured. A revolver was recovered in the area where Ramirez was taken into custody. A second firearm was recovered near the scene of the altercation.

Investigators have interviewed several witnesses, one of which was an off-duty LAPD officer.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed one count of Assault with a Deadly Weapon and one count of Felon in Possession of a Gun with a gang enhancement.

This is the 21st incident in 2016 where a suspect was armed with a firearm or replica firearm resulting in a use of deadly force incident with a LAPD officer. In 2015, there were 19 incidents involving a suspect with a firearm and 6 additional incidents where the suspect used a replica firearm or pellet gun.

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 criminallaws 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.