Heavily Armed Suspects Fire at Officers

Los Angeles: Officers assigned to the Northeast Criminal Apprehension Team investigating an attempt murder incident were met by gunfire.

On February 21, 2008, at 12:15 p.m., Officer Carlos Langarica, and Officer Joseph Bain were working a plainclothes detail when they began monitoring a shooting call. The shooting had just occurred near Roseview Avenue and Aragon Avenue, in which a white Nissan was described as the suspects’ vehicle. Officers Langarica and Bain spotted a white Nissan Altima in the area of Estara Avenue and Drew Street, that matched the suspect’s vehicle.

The officers began following the vehicle a short distance, when it abruptly stopped in front of 3326 Drew Street with three suspects quickly exiting. One suspect, Daniel Leon, 22-years-old, armed with an AK-47 rifle opened fire on the officers. A second suspect, Jose Angel Gomez, 18 years of age, armed with a handgun also began firing at the officers. Officers Langarica and Bain both returned fire wounding Leon and Gomez.

Canine and Special Weapons and Tactics officers arrested a third suspect, Guillermo Ocampo, 24 years of age, hours later following a lengthy search.

Gomez sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported by Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) personnel to Glendale Adventist Hospital. Leon was pronounced dead at the scene. Ocampo sustained dog bites and was transported by LAFD to Glendale Memorial Hospital for medical treatment. Neither officer was injured.

The fourth suspect remained at large until Monday, February 25, 2008, at around 5:25 p.m., when detectives located him in the 10400 block of Hayvenhurst Avenue in Northridge. Rafael Carrillo was taken into custody without incident, in the same car believed to have been used in the original crime. Ocampo, Gomez and Carrillo have all been booked on Murder and Attempt Murder on a Police Officer charges and are being held without bail.

Robbery Homicide Division (RHD) Detectives Dan Myers and Brian Carr are investigating the crimes against the officers. Detectives Wallace Tennelle and Corbin Rheault are investigating the original shooting, which became a homicide when the victim, Marco Antonio Salas, 36 years of age, died later that same evening.

Force Investigation Division personnel responded and are investigating the Officer Involved Shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call RHD at 213-485-2129. After hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).