K9 Contact with Hospitalization in Rampart Division – NRF066-23lr

**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: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division is investigating a K9 contact with hospitalization that occurred in Rampart Division.

On November 27, 2023, at 1:55 a.m., Rampart Division unformed officers were patrolling in the area of Bonnie Brae Street and Court Street when they observed two males standing in the middle of the roadway next to a double-parked vehicle. As the officers drove closer, one of the males (later identified as Jackson Romero) initially turned to walk away and immediately began running. The officers observed that as Romero ran, he quickly grabbed a dark satchel he was wearing across his chest, which made officers believe Romero was armed with a firearm. The officers gave chase and broadcast they were in foot pursuit of a 415 man with a gun. During the foot pursuit, Romero removed the satchel from across his chest and threw it to the ground, before running westbound, and out of the officers’ sight.

The officers established a perimeter in the surrounding area and recovered the satchel which contained a loaded handgun. Metropolitan Division K9 officers responded to the perimeter and conducted a K9 search. After a brief search, Romero was discovered hiding in the rear yard of a single-family residence located at the 200 block of Bonnie Brae Street, where a K9 contact occurred. Romero then surrendered to officers and was taken into custody without further incident.

Romero was transported by rescue ambulance to a local hospital where he was hospitalized for the non-life-threatening injuries caused by the K9 contact. Responding officers were unable to locate the second male initially observed standing with Romero.

No officers were injured as a result of this incident.

The firearm recovered was a loaded, blue steel semi-automatic 9mm handgun and was booked as evidence.

Force Investigation Division (FID) investigators responded to the scene and are investigating this incident.