Market Robbery Results in an Officer-Involved Shooting NR13150ne

Updated Release:

May 7, 2013:

The suspect’s correct name is Kenneth Williams.

May 9, 2013:

Updated:  The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as: Detective I Luke Walden, Police Officers III Richard Mendoza, and Dario Machado..

Los Angeles: On May 1, 2013, around 9:20 a.m., LAPD, Gang and Narcotics Division detective was stopped in his vehicle westbound on 5th Street preparing to turn south onto Wall Street to enter Central Station when he heard gunfire emanating south of him.

The detective looked to his left and saw the suspect, later identified as Kenneth Miller, inside the Green Apple Market, crouched and shooting a handgun in an easterly direction at unknown person or persons within the store.  At this time an officer involved shooting occurred.  Miller then turned and fled the store running eastbound on the sidewalk.  Metropolitan Division officers were stopped in their vehicle facing westbound three vehicles behind the detective when they heard gunfire and observed Miller running eastbound on the sidewalk toward them.  They exited their vehicle and when Miller pointed his weapon at them, another officer involved shooting occurred.  Miller was struck by gunfire and fell to the sidewalk where he was taken into custody.

A Los Angeles Fire Department Rescue Ambulance responded and transported Miller to a local hospital for treatment where he was pronounced.  No officers were injured.

A .38 caliber revolver was recovered near where Miller was taken into custody and a Tec-9 semi-automatic pistol was recovered from within the Green Apple Market.

Force Investigation Division detectives responded and are investigating the OIS.  Central Area Detectives are investigating the crimes that occurred within the store.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Office of the Inspector General and the 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 officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. 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.