Fugitive Task Force Officer Involved Shooting in the City of Anaheim NRF005-17cr

**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**

Anaheim: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force (VCFTF) officers located a wanted murder suspect armed with a shovel resulting in an officer involved shooting.

The VCFTF is comprised of agents from the FBI, California Department of Corrections State Parole, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and Los Angeles County Probation Department.

On January 17, 2017, around 09:50 a.m., LAPD Gang and Narcotics Division detectives assigned to the FBI, VCFTF conducted a follow-up investigation to a commercial nursery in the 2700 block of West Broadway in the City of Anaheim. Task force members received information that a wanted fugitive may be at that location. The fugitive was identified as 24-year-old, Oscar Infante Ramirez wanted in connection to a September 2016 murder in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Investigators saw Ramirez working at the nursery and approached him with the intent to apprehend him. Ramirez armed himself with a shovel and refused to comply with commands to drop the shovel and surrender. A task force member deployed a TASER twice, striking Ramirez but it was not effective. Ramirez lunged towards LAPD Detective I Craig Hewitt, Serial No. 32951 with the shovel. Detective Hewitt fired his police service shotgun, striking Ramirez in the right upper torso. Ramirez fell to the ground and was taken into custody without further incident.

The Anaheim Fire Department responded and transported Ramirez in a rescue ambulance to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and was listed in stable condition.

No officers or bystanders were injured during this incident.

There have been three officer-involved-shootings in 2017

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures.

In addition, the Orange County District Attorney’s office will review the incident to determine whether any of the officers’ actions violated California criminal statutes.

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.