Officer-Involved Shooting in Newton Division NRF030-22ma

July 8, 2022

UPDATE

The following Newton Area personnel were determined to have been involved in the OIS; Sergeant I Christopher Burke, Serial No. 36665, Police Officers III Garett VanHooser, Serial No. 41600 and Chad Fillinger, Serial No. 42270 and Police Officers II Luis Avalos, Serial No. 42574, Christopher Gonzalez, Serial No. 44010, Jose Rodriguez, Serial No. 44337, James Stea, Serial No. 44030, Kyle Bender, Serial No. 43595, Israel Florez, Serial No. 43402, and Chad Heistermann, Serial No. 40775.

July 6, 2022

**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 Newton Division.

On July 2, 2022, around 9:40 p.m., Newton Division Gang Enforcement Detail (GED) officers saw a man who appeared to be under the influence walking in the area of 36th Place and Maple Avenue. The officers attempted to stop the man, later identified as 30-year-old Jesus Rodolfo Torres, when he walked away with his hands in his pockets. Torres refused to follow the officer’s directions and the officers requested additional officers to the area. When additional officers arrived, one officer fired a 40mm less-lethal munition at Torres. He was struck by the round and fell to the ground. While on the ground, Torres, had a handgun in his hand. The officers told Torres to drop the gun. Torres did not follow the officer’s commands and began to raise the handgun; resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting. The suspect was struck by the officers’ gunfire and taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The handgun Torres was armed with was recovered at the scene, along with one additional firearm and a 50-round drum magazine.

No officers or bystanders were injured during this 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.