Officer Involved Shooting in North Hollywood NRF062-15jk

July 30, 2015 NRF062-15rh

UPDATE

The officers involved in the incident described below have been identified as: Sergeant Michael Guttilla, Serial No. 32456, assigned to North Hollywood, Police Officer III Eugene Damiano, Serial No. 27194, assigned to Van Nuys, and Police Officer I Matthew Clark, Serial No. 41636, assigned to Van Nuys.

July 27, 2015

** The following information is based on a preliminary, 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 incident may change as the investigation continues and additional evidence is collected and analyzed. **

Los Angeles: On July 24, 2015, around 3:20 p.m., citizens observed the suspect firing what was perceived to be live rounds into the air, causing numerous “shots fired man with a gun” radio calls to be generated.

A sergeant from North Hollywood Division and two uniformed officers from Van Nuys Division responded and tactically deployed on the suspect. The suspect sat on a brick wall outside of a bank with what appeared to be a semiautomatic handgun between his legs. The suspect ignored verbal directions and raised the handgun, resulting in an officer involved shooting.

The suspect was struck and became non-responsive. Further apprehension of and medical treatment for the suspect was delayed because he was in possession of a potentially explosive device, which was determined to be a facsimile explosive device.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Rescue Ambulance personnel treated the suspect and pronounced him dead at scene.

The weapon used by the suspect was recovered at scene.

No officers were injured during the incident.

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.