Armed Parolee Confronts Officers

June 22, 2007

Los Angeles: Officers fired their duty weapons at a parolee who was armed with a gun.

On June 19, 2007, during the late afternoon hours, officers assigned to the Parolee at Large Task Force initiated a surveillance of known gang members in the 800 block of West 50th Place. They had received information that the suspects were planning a "retaliation shooting" as a result of a recent homicide.

At about 8:40 PM, detectives and officers followed the suspects to the area of Whiteside Street just outside of Hollenbeck Division, in the County of Los Angeles. They observed three male suspects and a female suspect exit their car. Celestino Carlos, 33, a known parolee, whom they believed to be armed, was one of them. The officers elected to make contact with the suspects and detain Carlos.

As Detective Wayne Caffey and Officer Richard Jaramillo, along with other officers approached the suspects, Carlos looked in their direction and ran westbound on Whiteside Street. Carlos ran to the rear of 3621 Whiteside Street chased by Detective Caffey. Carlos scaled a block wall and fell to the other side into the backyard of 3627 Whiteside Street. As Detective Caffey climbed to the top of the wall, he observed Carlos turned toward him while holding a handgun in his waistband. In fear for his life, Detective Caffey fired at Carlos. Carlos continued to run along the eastside of the residence. Officer Jaramillo, who was on the next street, saw Carlos turned toward him holding a handgun in his hand. Officer Jaramillo fired at Carlos and another officer-involved shooting occurred. Carlos continued to run to the front of the residence where he discarded his handgun and was taken into custody without further incident.

Carlos was not struck by either of the rounds fired and was not injured. His loaded and cocked handgun was recovered at the scene. He was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer and is being held on a $50,000 bail.

None of the officers were injured.

Involved officers are Detective Caffey, 46, 24 years and 8 months with the Department and Officer Jaramillo, 31, 7 years with the Department.

Force Investigation Division personnel are investigating the officer-involved shooting.