Officer-Involved-Shooting in Mission Division NRF042-19cr

The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Police Officer Adiel Herrera, Serial No. 42119, Police Officer Raul Hernandez, Serial No. 43361, both assigned to Mission Division and Police Officer Miguel Zendejas, Serial No. 40955, assigned to Foothill Division Gang Enforcement Detail.

**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 valley community late Monday afternoon.

On August 19, 2019, around 4:19 p.m., LAPD, uniformed patrol officers, assigned to Mission Division, received and responded to a “Family Dispute” radio call for service at the 13100 block of Ottoman Street. When the officers arrived at the location they met with the person reporting, who directed them to the suspect (later identified as) Carlos Torres Jr. The officers encountered Torres on the front porch and attempted to speak with him. After several minutes of dialog, he stepped back into the residence as he removed a concealed handgun from his waistband. Torres then pointed the handgun at the officers and fired at them, which precipitated an OIS. Torres retreated into the house and a few moments later he was seen running through a neighborhood yard and onto Ottoman Street. As Torres continued to run west bound on Ottoman Street, a second OIS occurred.

Torres then ran through a residential property on Ottoman Street and into the rear east/west alley of that location. A responding Foothill Division, Gang Enforcement Detail unit, saw Torres in the alley and stopped their patrol unit at the mouth of the alley on Arleta Avenue. Torres again raised his handgun in the direction of the officers, at which time a third OIS occurred. Torres collapsed in the alley and was taken into custody without further incident.

The Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced Torres deceased.

A .22 caliber handgun was located at scene 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. 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.