Officer Involved Shooting in Newton NR14029ne

Los Angeles: On Wednesday, January 15, 2014, around 2:25 a.m., uniformed Newton Patrol officers responded to a domestic violence radio call in the 100 block of East 62nd Street.  As the officers arrived, the suspect shot his father in the head.  The officers heard the shot and saw the suspect flee the area on foot.  The officers gave chase and broadcast information to establish a perimeter.  In addition, the officers advised responding units that the suspect was armed with a handgun and had his hand in his pocket.

Additional Newton Area officers responded.  As one officer maintained a position on the perimeter, he observed the suspect in the backyard of 131 East 60th street, who then turned toward him with a handgun in his right hand.  Police Officer II Craig Mattison perceived this as a deadly threat at which time the first officer involved shooting occurred.

The suspect fled the yard and continued to move within the perimeter. The suspect was seen climbing a cinderblock wall by an officer.  The suspect reached into his pocket while seated in a straddle position on the wall.  Police Officer II Jose Solorzano perceived this as a deadly threat and at which time the second officer involved shooting occurred.  The suspect Christopher Avila (later identified) fled and was later taken into custody.  A .32 caliber revolver was recovered from Avila.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded and transported the suspect to Los Angeles County Medical Center.  It was determined that the suspect did not sustain a gunshot wound: however, he was admitted for a pre-existing medical condition.  There were no officers injured as a result of the incident.

Los Angeles Police Department Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the incident and will be handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Office of the Inspector General and The Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s 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.