LAPD Officers Involved in Shooting with Robbery Suspect

Jefferson Park: On Thursday, October 11, 2001, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department Southwest Area Officers Lasalle Culpepper, 32-years-old, 6 years with the Department and Brian Engquist, 24-years-old age, 8 months with the Department, were on routine patrol when they heard a radio broadcast of a “Robbery Just Occurred” in the 1500 block of Adams Boulevard at a taco stand.

The officers were eastbound on Adams Boulevard, approaching Raymond Avenue, when they observed two male Black suspects. One of the suspects matched the description of the robbery suspect. The officers, with the intent to conduct an investigation, exited their marked black and white police vehicle and ordered both suspects to stop and put their hands up. Suspect-2 complied with the officers’ commands. Suspect-1 refused to comply and instead, became belligerent and began cursing at the officers. Suspect-1 then advanced in a threatening manner toward Officer Culpepper, still refusing to comply with the officer’s commands to stop.

Officer Culpepper retrieved his pepper spray and deployed it on Suspect-1. Suspect-1 temporarily backed up, wiped his face and then advanced again toward Officer Culpepper, in a threatening manner. Officer Culpepper, again, deployed pepper spray on the suspect. By this time, Officer Engquist had turned his attention from Suspect-2 and went to the aid of his partner. Suspect-1 turned away from Officer Culpepper. When Suspect-1 turned back toward Officer Culpepper, Culpepper observed the suspect in possession of a gun. Officer Culpepper advised his partner that Suspect-1 was in possession of a gun. Officer Culpepper ordered Suspect-1 to drop the gun. A foot pursuit then ensued between Suspect-1 and the officers.

Suspect-1 ran through the yard of a commercial business, located at the southeast corner of Adams Boulevard and Raymond Avenue. As the officers rounded the building behind Suspect-1, they observed the suspect on top of a rod iron fence. The suspect then jumped from the fence, back into the yard of the business and began advancing toward the officers with a gun in his hand at his side. Officer Culpepper ordered the suspect to drop the gun.

The suspect refused to comply and instead raised the gun and pointed it in the direction of the officers. Both officers, in fear for their safety, fired multiple rounds at the suspect from their service pistols. Suspect-1 received multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso. He was subsequently taken into custody and a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene. Los Angeles City Paramedics responded to the location and transported the suspect to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

Other responding officers took suspect-2 into custody. He was detained for questioning.

Suspect-1 will be booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer. An additional charge for Robbery will be filed against Suspect-1.

The investigation into this matter is on-going and is being conducted by detectives assigned to the Department’s Critical Incident Investigation Division and Robbery- Homicide Division.

This press release was prepared by Lieutenant Horace Frank, Officer in Charge, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.