Foot Beat Patrol Results in Officer Involved Shooting

Los Angeles: On Friday, August 8, 2003, at 10:10 p.m., Newton Area Uniformed Gang Enforcement Officer Benevides and his partner were on foot, patrolling the grounds of the housing projects located in the 1700 block of East 51st Street.
The officers observed four to five male Hispanics exit an apartment from the above complex and begin walking in their direction. One of the male Hispanics, later identified as 21 year-old Ricardo Quinteros, was carrying a sawed-off rifle, with the barrel pointed at the ground. When Quinteros made eye contact with the officers he turned and ran north on the walkway then west on East 51st Street. Officer Benevides drew his service pistol and pursued Quinteros, ordering him to stop and drop the gun. Quinteros failed to comply, ran to the rear of a vehicle parked at the northwest corner of the complex and pointed the rifle at Officer Benavides. Officer Benavides, in fear for his life, fired multiple rounds at Quinteros. Quinteros was wounded and dropped the rifle. He was taken into custody without further incident. No officers were injured during the incident.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and transported Quinteros to a local hospital were he was admitted with a gunshot wound to his lower body. Quinteros is listed in stable condition.
Ricardo Quinteros was placed under arrest for 245 P.C. (Assault with a Deadly Weapon On a Police Officer).
This shooting is being investigated by Critical Incident Investigation Division.
This press release was prepared by Lieutenant Pasquariello, Officer in Charge, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.