Officer-Involved- Shooting During Pursuit From 77th Division NRF012-17ma

***Update***

Investigators have learned more details surrounding the officer-involved-shooting on February 7, 2017. Around 3:40 p.m., 77th Street Gang Enforcement Detail Police Officer Gregory Sovick and his partner saw a white Mercedes E350 in the area of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard. The vehicle fled northbound on the 110 Freeway and the officers initiated a pursuit when the driver, Tyree Francis, did not stop. After exiting the freeway in downtown Los Angeles, Francis drove through a parking gate arm and entered a parking structure on Figueroa Street south of 8th Street. Francis continued across a driveway and into a separate parking structure. In the parking structure, an unidentified female exited the vehicle and fled. She has not been identified. While in the south parking structure, witnesses saw Francis throw a handgun from the vehicle.

Officers began to establish a perimeter to contain Francis in the area of the parking structure. Unbeknownst to officers at the location, Francis had exited the parking structure. As Officer Sovick and his partner were running east in the driveway of 845 South Figueroa, Francis, who had been driving north on Figueroa Street, suddenly made a left turn into the driveway. Officer Sovick was in the mouth of the driveway and as the vehicle traveled in his direction, he fired one round at Francis, striking the windshield. Francis was not struck and the pursuit continued.

Francis was taken into custody at the termination of the pursuit after he collided with several vehicles causing one vehicle to roll over, seriously injuring the driver. Detectives recovered a loaded handgun from the area witnesses described to them.

The case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office and Francis was charged with two counts each of Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Felony Reckless Driving, and one count each of Felon in possession of a Firearm, Felony Hit and Run with Injuries, and Felony Hit and Run with Property Damage.

**The following information is based on a preliminary and 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 February 7, 2017, around 7:35 p.m., officers assigned to 77th Street Gang Enforcement Detail (GED) saw a white Mercedes sedan with paper.

plates and attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle fled and a short pursuit occurred prior to the vehicle escaping. On February 8, 2017, around 11:00 a.m., a “Shots Fired” radio call was broadcast in 77th Street Area and the suspect vehicle was described as a white Mercedes with paper platesOn February 8, 2017, around 3:40 p.m., a 77th Street GED unit saw a white Mercedes E350 with paper plates northbound on the 110 Freeway. They attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued.

The pursuit eventually continued off the freeway and into downtown Los Angeles, where the vehicle entered a multi-level parking structure south of 8th Street and west of Figueroa Street. 77th Street GED officers, along with officers from Central Area and Metropolitan Division, responded to the location and attempted to establish a perimeter.

While an officer was on foot in a driveway mid-block on Figueroa St south of 8th St., the suspect vehicle, driven by Tyree Francis, accelerated in his direction. The officer fired one round at Francis. Francis fled the scene in the vehicle. The pursuit continued on surface streets and again on the 110 Freeway, before terminating at 76th St. and Van Ness Ave., where Francis collided with several other vehicles. He was taken into custody without further incident.

No officers were injured during this incident. Francis had not been shot. A firearm was recovered in the area of the officer involved shooting. LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures.

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.