Driver Shoots at Off- Duty Officer NRF027-15jk

UPDATE

Updated: The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer III Teddy Gonzalez, Serial No. 25713 who is assigned to Gang and Narcotics Division.

Santa Clarita: On March 29, 2015, around 10:15 a.m., an off- duty officer was driving on Rainbow Glen Drive with a male passenger when a white Nissan sedan that was driving in front of him pulled to the curb as if to park. Suddenly, the male driver conducted a U-turn, causing the officer to brake in order to avoid a collision.

The officer continued on Rainbow Glen Drive and stopped at an intersection. He observed the white Nissan sedan rapidly approach on the passenger side of his vehicle. As the vehicle passed, both the officer and passenger observed a handgun extended out through the partially opened driver’s window where two shots were then fired.

The officer followed the suspect’s vehicle to a dead end street located in the 19900 block of Swallow Court. The suspect parked his vehicle behind another vehicle, partially hiding it from plain view and remained inside. The officer exited his vehicle, drew his service weapon and identified himself as a police officer. The officer began giving commands to the suspect, who failed to comply and drove directly towards the officer while pointing a gun. The suspect’s vehicle struck the officer’s driver’s door before fleeing the scene.

Force Investigation Division investigators responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer involved shooting. The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Departments use-of-force policy, which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable. Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved-shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.