Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Provides Preliminary Update on Officer- Involved Shooting in Newton Area NR14311as

August 28, 2014

Updated:

The Los Angeles Police officers involved in the use of lethal force in Newton Division on August 11, 2014 were Police Officer III Sharlton Wampler Serial No.36135, and Police Officer II Antonio Villegas Serial No. 38218, both assigned to the Newton Area Gang Enforcement Detail.

The LAPD has a longstanding policy of releasing the names of officers involved in shootings after investigating evidence of threats that could jeopardize the personal safety of the officers or their families.  In this particular case, it was necessary to investigate evidence brought to the Department’s attention regarding potential threats to the safety of the officers and ensure that measures were taken to mitigate those threats.  In each incident, the Department carefully reviews and investigates potential threats against its personnel while maintaining its commitment to disclose appropriate information, such as the identities of officers involved in uses of lethal force, to the public.

August 14 2014

Updated:
Investigators are continuing to ask for the public’s help. At this time, information from the public regarding this incident has been limited.  To assist in our investigation, The LAPD asks that if you were a witness to the incident, have any physical evidence such as a video recording, or have any other information, to please contact the LAPD or the Office of the Inspector General so that we can ensure a full, fair, and thorough investigation.  Pending further investigative and forensic analysis, the LAPD Force Investigation Division investigators have requested that The Los Angeles County Coroner place an investigative hold on the pending autopsy report.

** Please note that the information set forth below is based on a preliminary, ongoing investigation based on the evidence known at this time.**

Los Angeles:   On August 11, 2014 at approximately 8:10 p.m., two uniformed LAPD officers driving in a marked police car and assigned to the Newton Area Gang Enforcement Detail (GED) were driving westbound on 65th Street approaching Broadway when they saw a man walking on an adjacent sidewalk.  The officers stopped the patrol car, exited the vehicle, and attempted to talk to the individual.  After looking in the officers’ direction, however, the individual continued walking and made suspicious movements, including attempting to conceal his hands.

When the officers got closer and attempted to stop the individual, the individual turned, grabbed one of the officers, and a struggle ensued.  During the struggle, they fell to the ground and the individual attempted to remove the officer’s handgun from its holster.  The partner officer then fired his handgun and the officer on the ground fired his backup weapon at the individual.

After the officers fired their handguns at the individual, they were able to handcuff him and call for a rescue ambulance.  Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived and transported the individual to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.    

After the shooting occurred, LAPD’s Force Investigation Division detectives responded and began their investigation in coordination with investigators from the Office of the Inspector General and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.   

"The LAPD views any loss of human live as a great tragedy.  The LAPD investigates, reviews, and adjudicates all officer-involved shootings as thoroughly and transparently as possible and with the independent review and oversight of the Los Angeles Police Commission, its Office of Inspector General, and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office," said Acting LAPD Chief Earl Paysinger.  "To assist in our investigation, we ask that if you were a witness to the incident, have any physical evidence such as a video recording, or have any other information, to please contact the LAPD or the Office of the Inspector General so that we can ensure a full, fair, and thorough investigation."

The investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy, which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the OIS.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Force Investigation Division at (213) 486-5230, or the Office of the Inspector General at (213) 482-6833.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7(877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.