Officer-Involved-Shooting in Hollywood Division NRF064-18fp

November 20, 2018

Update

The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer 3 Joseph Marx, Serial No. 37650 assigned to Hollywood Division.

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 Sunday, November 18, 2018, around 3:40 p.m., uniformed Hollywood Patrol Division officers were northbound on Western Avenue, south of Santa Monica Boulevard, when they initiated a traffic stop of a black Range Rover with paper plates. The driver of the Range Rover, later identified as Harut Torossyan, stopped his vehicle but then fled at a high rate of speed. The officers gave chase and initiated a vehicle pursuit.

The vehicle pursuit entered the southbound Hollywood Freeway. Torossyan was confronted with a heavy volume of vehicular traffic and elected to exit the Range Rover on the freeway in the area of the Melrose Avenue exit. Torossyan was observed to be in possession of a handgun as he fled on foot across the northbound lanes of traffic, resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS).

The passenger, later identified as Freddrick Osorio, remained with the vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident. Metropolitan Division K9 personnel responded to a prowler radio call at an apartment complex located in the 800 block Normandie Avenue and took Torossyan into custody.

Torossyan sustained a gunshot graze wound to the top of his head and torso area and was transported to a local hospital where he was treated.

A semi-automatic handgun was located and recovered adjacent to the northbound freeway entrance ramp where Torossyan was last seen fleeing the location. Torossyan was booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon (semi-auto handgun) on a Police Officer. Osorio was booked for an unrelated prior robbery.

No officers were injured during the incident.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. Representatives from the Office of the Inspector General and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division responded and monitored the investigation.

The LAPD will have further details regarding this incident in its Critical Incident Community Briefing scheduled for public release on January 2, 2019.

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 the LAPD’s policies and procedures. Additionally, representatives from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who responded to the scene will review the subsequent FID investigation; evidence collected and witness statements to determine if the force used by the officer(s) violated any criminal laws.

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.”