Officer Involved Shooting During Burglary From Motor Vehicle

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, December 3, 1999
On Thursday, December 2, 1999, at approximately 8:00 P.M., the Operations Valley Bureau Major Crime Violator Task Force Unit was conducting a surveillance of four suspects who were involved in purse snatches in the Foothill Area and Devonshire Area. Personnel assigned to the unit observed the suspects commit a Burglary From Motor Vehicle (BFMV) in the area of Lurline Avenue and Lassen Street. The officers followed the suspects as they proceeded to the Shell gas station located at the 9600 block of De Soto Avenue.

At approximately 8:20 P.M., Officer Michael Amado, Serial No. 30744, 29 years old, 6 years with the Department, deployed in his vehicle directly behind the suspect vehicle, which was parked at the gas pump island. Officer David Friedrich, Serial No. 30946, 30 years old, 6 years with the Department, also deployed in his vehicle along side the driver’s side of the suspect vehicle, separated by the gas pump island. The officer’s exited their vehicles armed with Department issued 12-gauge shotguns and Friedrich identified himself as Los Angeles Police Officer, while displaying his police badge. At this point, the front passenger suspect exited the vehicle and fled southbound on foot on De Soto Avenue. Officer Friedrich ordered the remaining three suspects to raise their hands. The driver suspect ignored the command and placed his vehicle in reverse and accelerated, striking Amado’s vehicle as he was standing behind his driver’s door. The force of this impact caused the vehicle door to strike Amado, knocking him to the ground. The driver suspect continued his rapid reverse motion and once again struck Amado’s vehicle while Amado was on the ground. Officer Friedrich, in immediate defense of Officer Amado’s life, fired two shotgun rounds at the driver suspect. The driver suspect still continued his reverse motion and came to rest after colliding with two steel poles and a block wall.

Los Angeles City Fire Department Paramedics responded to the scene and provided first aid to the driver suspect for a shotgun wound to the upper torso, but he failed to respond to treatment and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two additional suspects who were seated in the rear seat of the vehicle were taken into custody without incident. After a short foot pursuit, a third suspect, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was also arrested without incident.

During the course of this incident, Officer Amado fired a single shotgun round. Due to Amado being sedated for injuries he sustained to his lower extremities, the investigation is continuing as to his involvement in this incident.

Three suspects were booked for 459 P.C., Burglary From Motor Vehicle.

Robbery-Homicide Division is conducting the investigation.

For additional information, contact Lieutenant Sharyn Buck, Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

For Release 1:05 pm PST
December 3, 1999