Hollenbeck Officer-Involved Shooting in Boyle Heights NRF021-17cr

***Update***

The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer II Hector Almeda, Serial #39529.

**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**

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved-Shooting (OIS) that occurred in a Boyle Heights neighborhood early Saturday morning.

On March 24, 2017, around 11:56 p.m., uniformed Hollenbeck Area Patrol officers were patrolling, when they heard multiple gunshots being fired in rapid succession in the area of Breed Street and 1st Street. These shots were loud enough that they were heard from inside the lobby of the nearby Hollenbeck Community Police Station and were also reported by several residents of the surrounding community.

A few moments after the shots were heard, the Hollenbeck Patrol officers were traveling westbound on 1st Street towards Breed Street to determine the source of the gunfire, when they observed a male Hispanic suspect (who was later identified as Fred Barragan) walking eastbound from that location. The officers attempted to detain Barragan, but he fled on foot. The officers chased Barragan and in the brief foot pursuit, Barragan removed a handgun from his waistband and an Officer-Involved-Shooting occurred.

Barragan sustained a gunshot wound and fell in the alley way where he was taken into custody without further incident. Los Angeles City Fire Department Paramedics responded and pronounced Barragan deceased at scene. In addition, a loaded handgun was recovered from a fenced area, a short distance away from Barragan.

No officers or bystanders were injured during this incident.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. FID will also review and collect all available body worn and digital in car video. The Office of the Inspector General and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office had a representative at the scene. 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. 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.