Northeast Division Officer-Involved Shooting NRF026-19ma

**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: Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division is investigating an officer-involved shooting in which officers shot a man armed with a box cutter.

On June 6, 2019, around 12:10 p.m., in the 3800 block of Edenhurst Avenue, officers responded to radio calls of a man who had threatened two people in the area. The comments of one of the radio calls stated the suspect was armed with a box cutter. After officers arrived in the area, they spoke with two men, neither knowing the other, who had separately been threatened by the suspect. Each victim had called the police after their encounter.

After speaking with the victims, the officers continued looking for the suspect. Around 12:25 p.m. a man matching the suspect description was found standing on the sidewalk in front of a residence. An officer gave commands in Spanish to the man; initially he followed the directions being given. After about 30 seconds, he stopped following the directions of the officer, reached into his rear waistband and removed a box cutter. The man dropped the box cutter, but quickly picked it up from the sidewalk. While holding the box cutter and ignoring the commands being given by officers, the man ran in the direction of officers; resulting in one officer firing a beanbag shotgun and Northeast Division Police Officer III Paul Bernd, Serial No. 36841, firing his handgun at the man. He was struck by both the beanbag round and gunfire and fell to the ground.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the location and determined the man was deceased. No officers were injured. The victims the suspect had threatened were not injured.

A box cutter was recovered at the scene.

The man has been identified as 59-year-old Jose Antonio de Santiago-Medina.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. Representatives from the Office of the Inspector General and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division responded and monitored the investigation.

The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners and the Office of the Inspector General to determine the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation and whether the use of deadly force complied with the LAPD’s policies and procedures. Additionally, representatives from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who responded to the scene will review the subsequent FID investigation; evidence collected and witness statements to determine if the force used by the officer(s) violated any criminal laws.

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.