Armed Suspect Shoots at Officers NRF043-16jk

September 14, 2016
NRF043-16ma

Updated: The officers involved in the below incident has been
identified as Police Officers II Francisco Zaragosa, Serial No.
39188, Isaac Fernandez, Serial No. 41058 and Joseph Chavez, Serial
No. 40894.

**The following information is based on a preliminary, 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**

Watts: Los Angeles police
officers were involved in violent exchange of gunfire late last
night with a suspect who ran as he fired a handgun wounding an
officer.

On July 25, 2016, around 11 p.m., Southeast Officers were
conducting extra patrol in the Nickerson Gardens Community Housing
Development due to recent shootings between rival gangs in the
area. Officers observed a group of gang members gathered in the
area of the baseball diamond and approached the group in order to
disperse the group. Suddenly, one of the suspects separated from
the group, began running from the officers at which time they
observed him to be armed with a handgun. The officers gave chase
and while running after the young male, the suspect pointed his
handgun at the officers and fired several shots. The officers
returned fire and multiple rounds were exchanged between the
suspect and the officers. The foot pursuit continued while gunshots
continued to be exchanged. One of the pursuing officers was struck
by the gunfire. The suspect was also shot during the running gun
battle.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the incident and
pronounced the suspect dead at scene. The wounded officer was
transported to a local hospital where he was treated for a non-life
threatening gunshot wound and later released.

A 9 mm semi-automatic handgun was recovered at scene along with
numerous casings from the shooting. A photograph of the suspect’s
gun is attached below.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division is conducting a
thorough investigation of the officer-involved shooting which will
be presented to the Chief of Police and the Board of Police
Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force and
tactics employed by the officers complied with LAPD’s policies and
procedures. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office will also
review the evidence collected during the investigation to determine
whether any criminal laws were violated.

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.