Officer-Involved-Shooting in 77th Division Area NRF043-19cr

August 27, 2019

The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer Isaac Moreno, Serial No. 35866, assigned to Metropolitan 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: Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved-Shooting (OIS) that occurred in a South Los Angeles community late Monday evening.

On August 19, 2019, about 1:38 p.m., 77th officers responded to a radio call for service at the 1300 block of west 48th Street, of a suspect possibly under the influence of narcotics, yelling and throwing objects at the person reporting. When the officers arrived, they located an uncooperative suspect, who was later identified as 65-year-old, Joe Britton a resident of Los Angeles. Britton then threatened to shoot the officers and barricaded himself inside his home.

The officers contained the residence and requested Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) resources. SWAT responded along with a Crisis Negotiation Team and attempted to communicate with Britton. The SWAT officers then made entry while using robotics and canines in their attempt to locate Britton. While in the process of searching the residence, Britton further barricaded himself in the attic, when an OIS occurred. The officers continue to verbalize with Britton, but he failed to comply resulting in the use of less lethal munitions which assisted in taking him into custody without further incident.

Although, Britton was not struck by gunfire, he was transported by the Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics to a local hospital for medical treatment of minor injuries and was eventually cleared for booking.

A bolt action rifle, shotgun and a revolver were found inside Britton’s home and recovered as evidence. Fortunately, no officers or innocent bystanders were injured during this 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.