Officer Involved Shooting

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, November 30, 1999

On Monday, November 29, 1999, at approximately 10:00 AM, Southwest Area Patrol Uniformed Officers Warfield Lewis, Serial No. 25182, 41 years of age, 13 years with the Department, and Frank Hernandez, Serial No. 33850, 28 years of age, 3 years with the Department, responded to a robbery just occurred radio call at the Sabina Beauty Supply located at the 4000 block of S. Western Avenue. The suspect was described as a female Black, in her thirties, armed with a chrome handgun who took money and fled the scene on foot. The owner of the business, in his private vehicle, followed the suspect to 42nd Street and Arlington Avenue and telephoned the business to report the location of the suspect. Employees at the scene of the robbery informed the officers of the whereabouts of the suspect. The officers proceeded to 42nd Street and Arlington Avenue where Southwest Officers Richard Contreras, Serial No 26638, 31 years of age and 10 ½ years with the Department and Charles Derosier, Serial No. 35209, 24 years of age and nine months with the Department, responded shortly thereafter.

Upon the officer’s arrival they observed the suspect and saw her enter a side yard of a single family residence and attempt to secrete herself behind a large shrub. The officers also observed that she was armed with a handgun. Officer Hernandez repeatedly ordered the suspect to drop the handgun but instead she raised the handgun and pointed it directly at Officer Hernandez. Officer Hernandez, in fear for his life, fired at the suspect. Officer Derosier upon observing the suspect pointing a handgun at Officer Hernandez and believing the suspect was going to shoot him, fired his Department shotgun at the suspect. The suspect fell wounded to the ground but continued to reach for the handgun which was beside her. Officer Hernandez repeatedly ordered the suspect to stop reaching for the handgun but when she grasped it, in fear for his life, again fired at the suspect. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics treated the suspect at the scene and transported her to a local hospital. The suspect received treatment by emergency room personnel and is listed in stable condition. The name of the suspect is not available at this time. No officers were injured during this incident.

The suspect’s loaded .32 caliber semiautomatic handgun was recovered at the scene.

Robbery Homicide Division is conducting the investigation.

For Release 9:40 am PST November 30, 1999