LAPD Officers Fired Upon During Football Practice

Los Angeles: On Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the LAPD Centurions football team was practicing at Fremont High School, located near the intersection of 76th Street and Avalon Boulevard. Officer J. Bailey, 27 years of age, 5 ½ years with the Department, was assigned to a Gang Unit along with his partner, a member of the Centurion football team. Officer Bailey drove his partner to Fremont High School for practice. During the football practice, Officer Bailey stood on the football field, and observed two male Black suspects, 18 to 20 years of age, walk south on the west sidewalk of Avalon Boulevard, adjacent to the eastside of the football field. Officer Bailey was dressed in full uniform.
The suspects yelled insults toward the football players regarding Fremont High School and continued walking until they were partially obscured by the east field bleachers. Officer Bailey observed a dark compact car proceed southbound on Avalon Boulevard and stop near a waiting pedestrian. Either the pedestrian or someone in the car, began firing a handgun toward Officer Bailey and the football team. Officer Bailey, in fear for his life and the lives of his fellow officers, drew his service pistol and fired at the suspects, who fled the area.
A subsequent search by responding officers failed to locate the suspects. No officers were injured as a result of this incident.
Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department Critical Incident Investigation Division responded to the scene and assumed responsibility for the investigation.
This press release was prepared by Sergeant John Pasquariello, Acting Officer in Charge, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.