Officer Involved Shooting of Known Gang Member

 
Los Angeles: On July 31, 2003, at about 6:45 p.m., Los Angeles Police Officer Eduardo Gonzalez and his partner were on patrol, assigned to the Northeast Area Gang Impact Team.
The officers were driving westbound on Ripple Street from Queen Street when they saw Roberto Padernal, a male Hispanic, 22 years of age, walking southbound from Elysian Valley Park toward Ripple Street. Padernal was known to the officers as an active gang member on parole for Assault with a Deadly Weapon with a firearm on a police officer.
When the officers attempted to stop Padernal, he ran eastbound on Ripple Street and pulled a gun from his waistband. The officers chased the suspect on foot and drew their service weapons. While running southbound on Queen Street, Padernal fired three shots at Officer Gonzalez. As Padernal continued to run on Queen Street, he aimed his gun again at Officer Gonzalez, who in fear for his life, fired one round at Padernal.
He immediately fell to the pavement and was taken into custody without further incident. Padernal’s gun was recovered next to him where he fell.
An ambulance responded and took Padernal to Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center, where he received medical treatment for a single gunshot wound and was listed in critical condition. No officers were injured during this incident.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted jointly by Robbery-Homicide Division and Critical Incident Investigation Division.
This press release was prepared by Sergeant Catherine Plows, Assistant Officer in Charge, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.