Officer-Involved-Shooting in Central Division – NRF050-20cr

April 26, 2021

***UPDATE ***

The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Police Officer II Erik Vivanco, Serial No. 42186 and Police Officer II Edward Monteagudo, Serial No. 42592 both assigned to Central Area.

**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 that occurred Friday afternoon, in a downtown Los Angeles business district.

On October 23, 2020, around 2:20 p.m., LAPD, uniformed patrol officers, assigned to Central Division, were flagged down in the vicinity of 11th Street and Los Angeles Street by citizens reporting a robbery suspect. The officers then located the suspect (later identified as 30-year-old, Vanessa Nunez), and attempted to make a pedestrian stop on Main Street just north of 11th Street. As the officers initiated their stop, Nunez turned and fired two rounds at the officers from a semiautomatic pistol, which resulted in an Officer-Involved-Shooting.

Nunez then dropped her pistol and was taken into custody without further incident.

The Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and treated Nunez for minor injuries she sustained by breaking glass and released for booking. Fortunately, no officers or Nunez were struck by gunfire.. A Glock, model 19, semiautomatic pistol was located at scene and recovered as evidence.

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.