Metropolitan Division Officer-Involved-Shooting in Newton Area NRF019-17ma

Update: Investigators have released more information related to the officer-involved-shooting on March 8th. The suspect was identified as Judier Ruiz, a 20-year-old resident of Los Angeles. The officer who fired at Ruiz has been identified as Metropolitan Division Police Officer Thomas Redshaw. A black BB gun was recovered from the rooftop of a residence in the 700 block of East 51st Street. The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and they filed two counts of felony brandishing.

**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: On March 8, 2017, around 11:15 a.m., officers assigned to Metropolitan Division and Central Traffic Division were in the area of 51st Street and McKinley Avenue. The officers were stopped conducting a traffic collision investigation involving a police vehicle. The officers were approached by a male who said he had been asked by a group of male Hispanics, “where you from?” and one of the men was armed with a handgun. As the officers were speaking with the man, he pointed out a group of three male Hispanics and told the officers the man with a gun was in the group. Two men from the group were immediately detained and a third ran westbound on 51st Street from McKinley Avenue. Officers chased the man, who ran northbound in an alley. In the alley, the man produced a handgun and one officer fired two rounds at the man. The man threw the handgun on a rooftop of a residence and he was taken into custody.

The man was not struck by gunfire and no officers were injured during this incident. The handgun was recovered by detectives.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office will also review the evidence collected during the investigation to determine whether any criminal laws were violated.

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.