Officer Involved Shooting in Mission NRF032-15jk

May 21, 2015 NRF032-15ma

***UPDATE***

Updated: The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer II Quincy Walunga, Serial No. 36466.

Los Angeles: On April 23, 2015, around 7:05 a.m., Mission Area patrol officers responded to multiple emergency calls for “a disorderly man armed with a gun” in the 14600 block of Tyler Street, just outside of Olive Vista Middle School.

Officers located the suspect, later identified as Andrew Valadez near the intersection of Tyler Street and Glenoaks Boulevard, just west of the school. Valadez was armed with a handgun, which he alternately pointed at passing motorists, the officers and himself. The officers attempted to contain Valadez as he began walking south on Glenoaks Boulevard while repeatedly giving commands for him to lower the gun. Valadez refused to comply with the officers’ orders and continued to wave the gun. Suddenly, Valadez turned and pointed the gun at officers, resulting in an officer involved shooting.

Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded, rendered medical aid and transported Valadez to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. No officers were injured during this incident and a replica gun was recovered at scene.

Force Investigation Division investigators responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer involved shooting. The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Departments use-of-force policy, which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable. Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved-shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.