Officer-Involved Shooting in North Hollywood Division NRF023-21ma

May 4, 2021

The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as North Hollywood Area Police Officer I Gabriel Garcia, Serial No. 44284.

**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 23rd, 2021 around 2:25 a.m., LAPD North Hollywood Division officers responded to a radio call of an Assault with a Deadly Weapon suspect armed with a knife at an apartment complex in the 5200 block of Whitsett Avenue. When the officers arrived, they encountered an adult man in the open-air walkway of the complex. He was holding the handle of a knife that appeared to be stuck in his neck. He told the officers he was suicidal and threatened to push the knife further into his neck.

While officers continued to talk to the man, additional officers were requested, and an ambulance was requested to their location to be ready to treat him. Officers continued to ask the man to release his grip on the handle of the knife, so he could receive medical treatment. After continued unsuccessful efforts to have the man release his grip on the knife handle, a TASER was used. The man charged in the direction of the officers with a knife and a 40mm less lethal round was discharged and an OIS occurred.

The man was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground. He was transported to a local hospital where he received medical treatment and is expected to survive. No additional community members or officers were injured during the incident.

Two large bloody kitchen knives were recovered and booked as evidence.

Los Angeles Police Department’s specialized FID responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses and supervised the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division. A
representative from the Office of the Inspector General responded and monitored the scene investigation.

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, representatives from 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.