77th Division Officer-Involved-Shooting NRF011-18bm

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Update:

March 6, 2018

The employees involved in the below incident have been identified as Sergeant I James Muniz, Serial No. 30963 and Police Officer II Melchor Oronez, Serial No. 37880, 77th Division.

*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: On February 25, 2018, around 7:35 a.m., uniformed officers assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department’s 77th Street Division responded to a radio call of a Burglar Alarm in the 2100 block of West Century Boulevard. Around 7:50 a.m., officers requested a back-up and an Air Unit for a Burglary Suspect There Now. Officers encountered the suspect, later identified as Santos Nunez-Garcia, and verbalized with him to persuade him to surrender peacefully. Nunez-Garcia produced a handgun and pointed it at the officers, resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting.

30-year-old Nunez-Garcia was struck by the gunfire. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and pronounced him dead at scene. A loaded .38 caliber revolver was recovered at the scene. No officers were injured.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. A representative from the Office of the Inspector General responded and monitored the scene investigation. Personnel from the LAPD Family Liaison Unit were present and met with the suspect’s family.

The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and 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 the LAPD’s policies and procedures. Additionally, representatives from 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(s) was reasonable.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged to call the LAPD at any of the following numbers:

• During business hours at 213-486-5230; During non-business hours or on weekends at (877)-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247);
• Anonymously 24-hours a day to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or by texting “LAPD” and your tip to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S); or
• Online at www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”