Metro Officers Officer-Involved Shooting in Newton Division NRF020-18cr

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**The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that occurred in Newton Division early Monday evening.

On March 19, 2018, around 6:50 p.m., Metropolitan Division uniformed officers; Police Officer III Josue Osorio, Serial No. 39357 and his partner were in Newton Division conducting routine crime suppression. During their patrol, the officers heard a radio broadcast of a shooting in the area of Washington Boulevard and Griffith Avenue, which described the suspect’s vehicle as a white van. As the Officers drove northbound on Griffith Avenue toward the shooting location, they observed a white van driving southbound, matching the vehicle description of the shooting suspect as provided in the radio call. The officers made a U-turn as the suspect’s van drove eastbound from Griffith Avenue onto 22nd Street, travelling a short distance before abruptly coming to a stop.

The officers quickly exited their unmarked police vehicle at which time they observed the suspect (later identified as 35-year old Eric Vaquero) walking alongside the driver’s side of the van, armed with a gun in his hand. Officer Osorio fired his police service weapon at Vaquero. Vaquero, who as not struck by the gunfire, re-entered the van and drove a short distance east on 22nd Street before coming to a stop. The officers initiated a high-risk vehicle stop as Vaquero surrendered to arrest without any further incident.

Vaquero’s loaded semiautomatic handgun was located inside the vehicle and booked as evidence. In addition, no officers were injured as a result of this incident nor were any pedestrians injured during the initial shots fired incident.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. A representative from the Office of the Inspector General responded and monitored the scene investigation.

The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners and the Office of the Inspector General to determine the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation and whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged to call the LAPD at any of the following numbers:

• During business hours at 213-486-5230;
• During non-business hours or on weekends at (877)-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247);
• Anonymously 24-hours a day to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or by texting “LAPD” and your tip to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S); or
• Online at www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”