Officer-Involved-Shooting in North Hollywood Division NRF015-23lr

April 27, 2023

***UPDATE***

The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer II Michael Estrada, Serial No. 39868, North Hollywood Patrol.

*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 North Hollywood  Division.

On April 22, 2023, around 2:40 a.m., North Hollywood Division uniformed patrol officers responded to a radio call of a, “burglary suspect there now,” at the apartment complex located on the 6200 Block of Beck Avenue.  The officers arrived and were searching for the victim’s apartment when they observed a damaged window screen on the ground and the rear window of the apartment ajar.  The officers peered through the window and observed the suspect, later identified as, 26-year-old, Ricardo Cervantes, and the victim inside the apartment.  Cervantes saw the police and immediately ran out the front door.

The officers went to the front of the apartment complex and observed Cervantes in the hallway.  Cervantes turned and ran back towards the victim’s apartment.  Officers chased Cervantes and approached the victim’s front door.  The officers observed the front door was ajar, and as one of the officers illuminated the interior of the apartment with his flashlight, he observed Cervantes inside the living room, and an OIS occurred.  Cervantes dropped the item he was holding in his hand and was taken into custody without incident.

Further investigation revealed the victim and Cervantes were in a former dating relationship and have one child in common.  Cervantes did not reside at the location.  Prior to the officers’ arrival, Cervantes and the victim were involved in an altercation that left the victim with a visible injury.  No one was injured during the OIS.  Cervantes was booked for 273.5 (A) PC – Corporal Injury to Spouse/Cohabitant, his bail was set at $50, 000, Booking No.6591101.

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.