Officer-Involved-Shooting in Hollenbeck Division NRF011-23lr

March 17, 2023

UPDATE

The officers involved in this incident below have been identified as Police Officer III+I Steven Jenkins, Serial No. 26809, Police Officer III+I Daniel Cota, Serial No. 35677, Police Officer III+I Christopher Jones, Serial No. 39399, Police Officer III+I Ruben Chavez, Serial No. 38836, Police Officer III Steven Wills, Serial No. 33368, Police Officer III Adrian Bonilla, Serial No. 39681, and Police Officer III Alan Ramirez, Serial No. 33872.  All officers listed are assigned to the Metropolitan Division K9 Unit.

Preliminarily, based on the initial investigation, it appears one round fired from an unknown officer’s handgun struck the ballistic helmet of another officer present.  The ballistic helmet deflected the round and no injuries were sustained from this impact.

**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 that occurred in Hollenbeck Division.

On March 8, 2023, around 4:00 p.m., plain clothes Hollenbeck Division Narcotics Enforcement Detail officers (NED) were conducting surveillance in the area of Broadway and Prince Street for a Parolee–At–Large (PAL) identified as 32–year–old, Jonathan Magana.  Magana was also a named suspect for an Investigative Report for Extortion that occurred in Hollenbeck Division.  During the surveillance, Magana was observed by NED officers on foot, and a perimeter was established with the assistance of uniformed officers.  The officers lost sight of Magana inside the perimeter and requested Metropolitan K9 officers to respond.  Two K9 officer search teams responded and searched the perimeter simultaneously.  Shortly after the search began, a K9 dog alerted officers to the downstairs unit of a multi-unit structure located in the 3800 block of North Broadway Street.

The downstairs unit of the structure appeared to be a converted living space that was under construction.  The officers believed Magana was concealed inside the downstairs unit and officers set up containment.  The officers made several verbal announcements in both English and Spanish for Magana to surrender.  Magana failed to surrender which resulted in the deployment of a chemical agent.  During the deployment of the chemical agent, Magana fired at officers, resulting in an Officer–Involved Shooting. Three K9 officers were struck by Magana’s gunfire and subsequently extracted to a safe location where they received medical treatment.

The remaining K9 officers redeployed, transitioned their tactics to a barricaded suspect, and Metropolitan Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) responded.  When Magana failed to respond to additional verbal commands to surrender, SWAT deployed a robotic device equipped with a video camera into the room Magana was believed to be barricaded.  The robotic device located Magana who appeared to be unresponsive.  SWAT officers made entry into the room and took Magana into custody.  Magana appeared to have been struck by gunfire.  The Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to provide medical treatment and Magana was pronounced deceased at scene.  The injured officers were transported to a local hospital and treated for their injuries.  The officers were admitted into the hospital and were listed in stable condition.  No other officers or citizens were injured during the incident.

Two loaded handguns were recovered at scene.  One handgun was a 9mm Polymer 80 semi-automatic “Ghost Gun” and the second handgun was a 9mm Glock semi-automatic Model 43X.  A loaded extended high–capacity magazine was also recovered at scene.  Robbery Homicide Division (RHD) responded to the scene and conducted a preliminary criminal investigation for several counts of Attempted Murder against the K9 officers.

On March 9, 2023, two of the officers injured during the incident were released from the hospital.  One officer remains hospitalized and in stable condition.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division detectives responded to the scene, interviewed witnesses and supervised the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division personnel.  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.