LAPD and Pomona PD Officers Confront Suspect Wanted in Connection with Murder

North Hollywood – On Thursday, November 9, 2000, at approximately 11:00 p.m., North Hollywood Community Police Station uniformed Officers Kevin Turner, Serial No. 31615, (45 years of age, 5 ½ years with the Department) and John Smith, Serial No. 24687, (39 years of age, 16 years with the Department) were engaged in proactive enforcement efforts in the area of the 4000 block of Vineland Avenue. This is an area known to the officers for high narcotics activity. While in the area, the officers conducted a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) inquiry of vehicle at the location. The inquiry revealed that the vehicle was wanted in connection with a murder that was committed in the City of Pomona. The officers requested the assistance of a back-up unit and a supervisor. Additionally, Pomona Police Department was notified of the vehicle’s location. Pomona PD advised that they would be responding to the location and requested the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to stand by the vehicle.

Pomona Police Department officers responded to the location and a tactical plan was devised. Officers Turner and Smith, along with the Pomona officers, approached the suspect’s vehicle. As they did so, they observed the suspect suddenly raise up in the vehicle, from an apparent supine position. The Pomona officers ordered the suspect to exit the vehicle. The suspect looked around and refused to comply with the officers’ commands. The suspect then turned on the vehicle’s ignition and placed the vehicle into reverse, headed in the direction of officers at the scene. One of the Pomona officers fired multiple rounds at the vehicle’s tire in an attempt to disable the vehicle. Simultaneously, Officer Turner, using a Department shotgun, fired a round at the vehicle’s tire, also in an attempt to disable the vehicle. The suspect then continued maneuvering the vehicle in an erratic and threatening manner in the direction of other officers. Officer Smith observed the suspect reach toward the lower interior of the vehicle and believing the suspect was attempting to arm himself, fired at the suspect using his service weapon.

The suspect, apparently unaffected by the rounds, continued driving in an erratic manner toward Officer Nadine Hernandez, Serial No. 33919, (28 years of age, 3 ½ years with the Department). Officer Hernandez and her partner, Officer Casey Cox, Serial No. 33720, (27 years of age, 3 ½ years with the Department) had responded to the location and were tactically deployed in an area of the parking lot exit, west of the suspect’s location. Officer Hernandez, in fear for her safety, fired rounds at the suspect. The suspect continued driving the vehicle westbound out of the parking lot to north bound Vineland Avenue. The suspect then stopped his vehicle at the intersection of Vineland Avenue and Lankershim Boulevard. He was ordered out of the vehicle and taken into custody without further incident. At some point during the incident, the suspect was apparently struck by gunfire. He received a non-life threatening injury to his left forearm. He was transported to USC Medical Center where he was treated for his injury. Additionally, the suspect was booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon Against Police Officers. There is a parole hold on the suspect and he is being held with no bail.

None of the involved police personnel were injured during the incident.

The suspect is identified as Andrew David Partlow, a male White, 38 years old. He is wanted by the Pomona Police Department for questioning in connection with the murder of 68 year-old, Lois Schoenhoff, a resident of Pomona. During the preliminary investigation of the murder, by Pomona Police Department, it was discovered that Partlow, a boarder at the murder victim’s residence, was missing along with the victim’s vehicle, a 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix, bluish/green in color, license plate number, SPCL LDY.

The suspect was located today in possession of the victim’s vehicle. Pomona Police Department is conducting the investigation into the murder of Lois Schoenhoff.

Robbery Homicide Division is conducting the investigation into today’s officer-involved shooting.

Please direct all inquiries regarding this press release to Media Relations Section. This press release was prepared by Lieutenant Horace E. Frank, Officer-in-Charge, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.