Officer-Involved Shooting in Mission Division – NRF059-21ma

December 31, 2021

UPDATE:

The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer III Erik Pena, Serial No. 40790, Mission 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: Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) in Mission Division.

On October 24, 2021, around 8:15 p.m., LAPD Mission Division officers pulled into a motel parking lot in the 9400 block of North Sepulveda Boulevard. The officers stopped to conduct a Grand Theft Auto investigation. The suspect, later identified as Vicente Gonzalez, fled on foot. During the foot pursuit, Gonzalez pointed a handgun at one of the officers, at which time there was an Officer-Involved Shooting. Gonzalez continued running, and a large perimeter was established. Metropolitan Division and K-9 personnel searched the area; however, they were not able to locate Gonzalez.

The handgun Gonzalez was armed with was recovered at the scene.

It does not appear Gonzalez was struck by gunfire. 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.

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, 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.