Officer-Involved Shooting in Devonshire Division NRF043-23ne

September 5, 2023 NRF043-23dm

UPDATE

The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Police Officer III Eric Hernandez, Serial #41767, and Police Officer II Randy Portillo, Serial #44511, Devonshire 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: The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that occurred in Devonshire Division.

On August 27, 2023, around 11:12 a.m., Devonshire Division uniformed patrol officers were in the 18000 block of Malden Street, when they observed an individual, later identified as 24-year-old Angel Ledesma, whom they believed to be loitering near the front door of an apartment complex.

The officers exited their vehicle and began asking Ledesma where he lived. Moments later, Ledesma began running toward the officers while holding a knife in his hand, with the blade pointed toward them. The officers immediately ordered Ledesma to drop the knife; however, Ledesma did not comply. Ledesma continued running towards the officers while still holding the knife and an OIS occurred.

Ledesma was struck by gunfire, fell to the pavement, and was taken into custody without further incident. The officers at scene immediately rendered aid to Ledesma until the Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived. Shortly after, Ledesma was pronounced deceased at scene.

A folding knife with an approximate 2 ¾ inch blade, fixed in the open position, was recovered from the scene and booked as evidence.

No officers nor other citizens were injured during this incident.

Photograph of the knife held by Ledesma.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses and supervised the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, 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.