Barricaded Suspect Surrenders Peacefully

Los Angeles: On August 31, 2003, Devonshire Area patrol officers responded to a disturbance call at the Vacation Inn Hotel located at 9133 North Sepulveda Boulevard in the North Hills section of the San Fernando Valley. The officers determined that a lone male had entered the small office of the motel/hotel and displayed a handgun. After employees fled the office area, the suspect remained alone in the office and fired multiple gunshots, both prior to and after the arrival of police officers. Officers assigned to the LAPD Special Weapons and Tactics Unit responded and came under gunfire. After a two hour stand-off, the suspect suddenly exited the office and surrendered without further incident.

No shots were fired by the officers and there were no reported injuries. The motive for the shooting has not yet been determined. The suspect, 33 year-old Roberto Sanchez is being held on $200, 000.00 bail pending a decision from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office about the filing of criminal charges.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lieutenant Lyle Prideaux of Robbery-Homicide Division at 213-485-2129, or the Los Angeles Police Department 24-hour hotline at 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.