Man Swinging Machete Leads to Officer Involved Shooting NR09218jr

Los Angeles:   A Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer shot a suspect who threatened him with a machete in Highland Park.   

On May 3, 2009, at about 6:30 p.m., 911 operators received an anonymous report of “screaming and yelling” coming from a residence in the 300 block of N. Avenue 66, north of Ruby Street.  The call was dispatched to Northeast Area patrol officers as an “unknown trouble” at the residence.

The officers arrived at the residence and encountered a male Hispanic adult, later identified as
50-year-old Ramon Alaniz of Highland Park, armed with a machete.  When Alaniz refused to comply with the officers’ commands to drop his weapon and moved toward the officers, an officer-involved shooting occurred.  Police Officer II Gregory Ibanez, 3 years 9 months with the Department, fired multiple rounds at Alaniz, striking him once in the head.  Alaniz was then taken into custody without further incident and transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he is listed in stable condition.  No officers were injured.

The LAPD Force Investigation Division is responsible for conducting the investigation.  Charges against Alaniz are pending, based on additional investigation.

Persons with information related to this incident are requested to call the Department’s 24-hour tip line at 1-877 LAPD 24-7(1-877-527-3247).   Those wishing to remain anonymous may use their cellular phones and text to “CRIMES” or by logging on to www.lapdonline.org and clicking on “webtips.”  When using a cell phone, the text portion of the message should always begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Texting or internet tips provided in this manner may remain anonymous.