Officers Involved in a Shooting with Pursuit Suspect on the 405 Freeway NRF002-17ma

**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 of the incident may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**

Los Angeles: On January 9, 2017 about 10:00 p.m. Metropolitan Division officers were in the area of Reseda Boulevard and Vanowen Street in Reseda. They were in the area checking locations for an attempt murder suspect, 32-year-old Marco Tulio Flores. Flores entered a vehicle and was driving away when Metropolitan Division officers initiated a traffic stop. Flores stopped and exited the vehicle in the 19000 block of Sherman Way. Flores was uncooperative and did not follow the commands given by the officers; at which time a Metropolitan Division officer fired three Less Lethal Bean Bag Shotgun rounds at Flores. The rounds had no effect on Flores and he entered his vehicle and fled from the pursuing officers.

Around 11:15 p.m., the pursuit was south on the 405 Freeway south of the Ventura Boulevard exit when Flores stopped his vehicle and fired two rounds from a handgun. Valley Traffic Division Officers Ryan Shaffer, Serial No. 38771, and Steven Burroughs, Serial No. 38314 fired rounds from their handguns at Flores. Officer Shaffer fired two rounds and Officer Burroughs fired six rounds at Flores. West Valley Patrol Division Officers Jessyka Monzon, Serial No. 42408, and Brian Hopwood, Serial No. 40219, also fired rounds at Flores. Officer Monzon fired 2 rounds from her handgun at Flores and Officer Hopwood fired two rounds from his Urban Police Rifle. Flores was not struck and continued south on the 405 Freeway. As Flores approached the Skirball Avenue exit, he again stopped the vehicle and failed to comply with the officer’s commands. Officer Monzon fired three rounds from her handgun at Flores and a Metropolitan Division officer fired two Less Lethal Bean Bag Shotgun rounds at Flores.

When Flores was south on the 405 Freeway near the Sunset Boulevard exit, Metropolitan Division officers initiated a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped by the PIT and Flores did not follow the officer’s commands. A K-9 was used to take Flores into custody.

Flores was transported to a local hospital to receive medical treatment for a K-9 bite. He was released and booked for Attempt Murder.

A handgun which Flores used at the first officer involved shooting location was recovered in the south lanes of traffic on the 405 Freeway near Ventura Boulevard.

No officers were injured during the incident.

This was the first officer-involved-shooting in 2017. This is the 1st incident in 2017 where a suspect was armed with a firearm or replica firearm resulting in a use of deadly force incident with a LAPD officer. In 2016, there were 28 incidents involving a suspect with a firearm or replica firearm which resulted in a use of deadly force.

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.”