Officer-Involved-Shooting in Olympic Division NRF023-20cr

June 4, 2020

***UPDATE***

The Olympic Division officer involved in the below incident has been identified as a Police Officer II Anthony Engleman, Serial No. 42883.

**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 (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved-Shooting (OIS) that occurred Sunday evening, in a Los Angeles residential community.

On May 31, 2020, around 9:25 p.m., LAPD Olympic Division uniformed patrol officers responded to a radio call for service of a female suspect stabbing a female victim at the 600 block of North Wilton Place. Upon the officers arrival they were directed by several citizens to the front porch of a residence on Wilton Place. As the officers approached the location they observed the victim on the ground, appearing to be unresponsive, with the suspect (who was identified as 28-year-old, Sandra Ochoa) on top of the victim stabbing her. The officers ordered Ochoa to stop, but she continued to stab the unconscious victim, which precipitated an Officer-Involved-Shooting. Ochoa then dropped the weapon and started to walk into her apartment, where she was taken into custody.

Ochoa was struck by gunfire and was transported by the Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics to a local hospital where she received medical treatment and was released for booking. The female victim was not struck by the OIS but unfortunately, she was pronounced deceased at scene possibly due to her injuries. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause of death of the victim. No officers or innocent bystanders were hurt during this incident.

A bloody pen and bloody scissors were located at scene and recovered as evidence.

Force Investigation Division is handling the OIS and West Bureau Homicide Division will be handling the homicide investigation.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. A representative from the Office of the Inspector General responded and monitored the scene 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 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 officers(s) was reasonable.