Officer-Involved Shooting in Hollywood Division NRF037-21ma

The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Hollywood Division Police Officer II Christopher Tabela, Serial No. 40610 and Police Officer I Isaiah Galvez, Serial No. 44364.

**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 Hollywood Division.

On July 15, 2021 around 11:20 a.m., LAPD Hollywood Patrol Division officers responded to a radio call of a “man with a gun” in the area of Cherokee Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard. As officers arrived in the area, they saw a male matching the description of the suspect from the radio call walking west on the south sidewalk, holding what they believed was a firearm in his right hand. The officers exited their vehicle and gave the suspect commands. The suspect turned to face the officers, while still holding the object, extended his right arm in the direction of the officers, resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting.

The suspect was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded and transported the suspect to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The object the suspect was in possession of that was believed to be a firearm, was later determined to be a metallic butane lighter with a pistol grip handle. Additionally, a folding knife with the blade in the open position was also recovered at the scene.

The suspect was identified by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office as 48-year-old Matthew James Sova.

No officers were injured during the incident.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses and supervised the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division. Representatives from the State of California Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the Inspector General responded and monitored the scene investigation.

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. Additionally, representatives from the State of California, Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Office and 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 officer was reasonable.