Officer-Involved-Shooting in Harbor Division NRF061-18bm

November 13, 2018

The officers involved in this incident have been identified as Police Officer III Valery Vargas, Serial No. 35833, and Police Officer III Matthew Clymer, Serial No. 35204, 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: The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved-Shooting (OIS) that occurred in the Harbor Gateway area on Sunday night.

On Sunday, November 11, 2018, around 10:25 p.m., Metropolitan Division officers were traveling south on Halldale Avenue, near the Normandale Recreation Center. They heard possible gunfire in the area and drove up the apron of a driveway that led to the south parking lot of the recreation center. The officers observed two male Hispanic suspects walk from around a gymnasium building in their direction. At least one round fired by the suspects struck the police vehicle. Both officers exited and returned fire from behind their respective doors. One suspect was struck by gunfire and was taken into custody without incident. His weapon was recovered at scene. The second suspect fled the area and is still outstanding. It is unknown if the outstanding suspect was struck by gunfire. The suspect was booked for Attempted Murder of a Police Officer.

The gunshots originally heard by the officers were later determined to be related to an Assault With a Deadly Weapon (ADW) shooting that occurred on the opposite side of the gymnasium building. The two suspects allegedly approached a male and female Hispanic and fired several rounds in their direction. The female victim was struck in the lower leg and was transported to a local hospital.

Neither officer was injured during the incident.

Investigative efforts to identify the outstanding suspect are still ongoing and are being conducted by the Force Investigation Division Criminal Apprehension Team

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 crime 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. 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 officers(s) was reasonable.

• 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.”