Officer-Involved-Shooting in Hollenbeck Division NRF017-21ml

UPDATE

The officer involved in the below incident have been identified as Hollenbeck Patrol Division Police Officer III Alejandro Higareda, Serial No. 39219.

**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 in Hollenbeck Division.

On March 19, 2021, at around 6:53 p.m., LAPD Hollenbeck Division patrol officers conducted a traffic stop at Ithaca Avenue and Haven Street on a Nissan Altima. As the officers were exiting their vehicle, the suspect placed the Altima in reverse and struck the front of the police vehicle.

The suspect then drove away at a high rate of speed through a residential neighborhood. The officers initiated a vehicle pursuit, which terminated four blocks away, when the suspect lost control of his vehicle and collided with a residence at the 2900 block of Bullard Avenue.

The suspect then exited his vehicle armed with a handgun and an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) occurred. The suspect was struck by gunfire and was taken into custody at scene.

The suspect was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he was listed in stable condition and is expected to survive. No officers were injured during this incident.
A firearm was recovered at scene.

LAPD’ specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) detectives along with members from the Multi-Disciplinary Collision Investigation Team responded to the scene to investigate this incident. Force Investigation Division detectives interviewed witnesses and supervised the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division. A representative from the Office of the Inspector General responded to the scene and monitored the investigation.

The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, 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 officer was reasonable.