Central Traffic Division Officer-Involved Shooting in Central Division NRF055-21ma

UPDATE

October 22, 2021

The sergeant involved in the below incident has been identified as Sergeant II Jesus Garcia, Serial No. 33022, assigned to Central Traffic 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 (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that occurred in Central Division.

On October 6, 2021, around 10:45 p.m., LAPD Central Patrol Division and Central Traffic Division officers responded to a female armed with a firearm.in the area of Arcadia Street and Spring Street. Officers were directed by a community member who told them the suspect, later identified as Victoria Bardales, was inside a tent in a homeless encampment. While officers were trying to communicate with the suspect, she fired multiple shots at officers over the course of several minutes.

Around 11:45 p.m., while waiting for additional resources, including Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel, Bardales came out of a tent holding a hostage. While outside of the tent with the hostage, an officer-involved shooting occurred. Bardales was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground. She was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The hostage was not injured.

Bardales was booked for Kidnapping. The firearm Bardales was armed with was recovered at scene.

No officers were injured during the incident.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses and supervised the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division.  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, 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.