Officer-Involved Shooting in Rampart Division NRF01722bb

September 23, 2022

***UPDATE***

The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Rampart Patrol Division Police Officer II Omar Garcia, Serial No. 42843; Police Officer II Jose Hernandez, Serial No. 43211 and Police Officer II Keaton Opteyndt Serial No. 41078.

**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) in Rampart Division.

On May 17, 2022, around 1:15 p.m., Operation West Bureau (OWB), Surveillance Task Force personnel, were conducting a surveillance operation on a named Assault with a Deadly Weapon (ADW) suspect, who was also wanted on a Fugitive Warrant with the United States Marshals.

OWB task force personnel directed an Olympic Division patrol unit to attempt a traffic stop in the area of Alvarado Avenue and Temple Street. The suspect failed to stop his vehicle and shortly after, collided with an unrelated vehicle resulting in his vehicle being disabled. The suspect exited his vehicle armed with a firearm and carjacked a nearby vehicle. The suspect fled from the officers in the stolen vehicle when he collided with another vehicle near the intersection of 3rd St and Union Avenue. The suspect exited the stolen vehicle, still armed with a firearm in his hand resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting. The suspect fled on foot into a multi-complex gated property and an additional OIS occurred. Officers were able to take the suspect into custody without further incident. The suspect was not struck by gunfire. The suspect was identified as 43-year-old Jaime Vendivel, a resident of Los Angeles. Vendivel was transported to a local hospital for complained of injury to his upper torso area resulting from the traffic collision.

Vendivel’s loaded semi-automatic handgun was recovered at scene and will be booked as evidence.

No officers or bystanders 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.