Officer-Involved Shooting in Wilshire Division NRF036-22ma

September 23, 2022 

UPDATE

The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Wilshire Division Police Officer II Victor Aguayo, Serial No. 42826.

July 19, 2022                                                                                                            NRF036-22ma

**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 Wilshire Division.

On July 14, 2022, around 6:50 p.m., Wilshire Division police officers were working patrol driving in the area of Melrose and Fairfax Avenue. While monitoring the area, a citizen flagged down the officers and informed them there was a robbery in progress inside of a clothing business west of their location. The officers exited their police vehicle and approached the location to investigate. As the officers proceeded to the front of the business, the suspects exited the location armed with handguns. Officers directed the suspects to stop and drop their weapons. One of the suspects holding a firearm, turned toward one of the officers, resulting in an OIS.

The suspects entered a black SUV and drove away from the location westbound on Melrose Avenue. The officers entered their police vehicle and chased after the suspects. The officers searched the area and were unable to locate the suspects.

One officer sustained a minor injury during the OIS. The officer was transported to the hospital, treated and released.

Force Investigation Division (FID) detectives responded to the scene and assumed investigative responsibility for the OIS.

Robbery Homicide Division responded to the scene and assumed investigative responsibility for the robbery inside the clothing business and for the apprehension of the two outstanding suspects.

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.