Newton Division Officer-Involved Shooting NRF053-19bm

December 6, 2019

UPDATE:

The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer II Steven Ruiz, Serial No. 41335 from Newton Division.

**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 (OIS) in which a man armed with a knife was shot.

On Tuesday, November 19, 2019, a Newton Area uniformed sergeant was flagged down by a citizen about a man armed with a knife. The sergeant searched the area for the armed man, located him, and requested a backup. Additional Newton Area officers responded and followed the suspect, later identified as Alex Flores Jr., to the area of 28th Street and Central Avenue. At some point, Flores ran towards one of the officers while armed with a knife, and an OIS occurred.

Flores was struck by gunfire and later pronounced dead by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics at scene. No officers were injured and a knife was recovered at scene.

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.