Hollenbeck Gang Officer Involved in Shooting of Suspect Armed with a Handgun NRF053-16ma

September 14, 2016 NRF053-16ma

Updated: The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer II Eden Medina, Serial No. 40914.

**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**

Los Angeles: Officers pursued a suspect they believed was armed with a handgun. Officers heard a gunshot and a witness reports the suspect fired the handgun in the direction of the pursuing officers, at which time an officer involved shooting occurred.

On Tuesday, August 9, 2016, around 5:50 p.m., Hollenbeck Gang Enforcement Detail officers responded to a vandalism radio call in the area of Chicago Street south of Cesar Chavez Avenue. The officers had exited their vehicle and approached three males to conduction an investigation. As the officers approached the males, Jesse Romero immediately ran from the officers while grabbing his front waistband. The officers pursued Romero on foot and broadcast to Communications Division they were in foot pursuit of a man with a gun. They chased Romero eastbound on Cesar Chavez Avenue to Breed Street where Romero ran south on Breed Street. The officers heard a gunshot as they approached Breed Street. A witness saw Romero fire a handgun in the direction of the pursuing officers. As one of the officers looked south on Breed Street from the southwest corner, he saw Romero crouched on the sidewalk with his right arm extended toward the officer. Fearing Romero was going to shoot at them, one officer fired two shots at Romero, striking him twice.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and determined Romero to be deceased. There was a revolver recovered at scene.

This is the 16th incident in 2016 where a suspect was armed with a firearm or replica firearm resulting in a use of deadly force incident with an LAPD officer. In 2015, there were 19 incidents involving a suspect with a firearm and 6 additional incidents where the suspect used a replica firearm or pellet gun.

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.