Officer-Involved Shooting in Olympic Division – NRF048-23hg

September 18, 2023                                                                                                 

UPDATE

 The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Police Officer I Jose Artiaga, Serial No. 45139 and Police Officer II Kassandra Rodriguez, Serial No. 43023 assigned to Olympic Division.

**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:  The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that occurred in Olympic Division.

 On September 13, 2023, around 8:35 p.m., Olympic Division uniformed  patrol officers responded to a radio call of a “415 Man with a Knife” on the 1200 block of South New Hampshire Avenue. Upon arrival, officers searched the area and located the suspect walking through a parking lot. As officers were setting up containment around the parking lot, they verbalized with the suspect who was armed with a large kitchen knife. After several minutes of commands, the suspect, while still armed with the knife in his right hand, ran toward officers positioned at the exit of the parking lot. Despite additional warnings to drop the knife, the suspect refused to comply and continued  running towards the officers, resulting in an OIS.

The suspect was struck by gunfire, fell to the pavement, and was taken into custody without further incident.  The officers requested a rescue ambulance and rendered aid to the suspect. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics transported the suspect to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The suspect’s identity will be provided by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office pending notification of next-of-kin. At this time, the suspect is described as a male Hispanic, approximately 30 to 35 years of age.

A large kitchen knife with an approximate 8 inch blade was recovered from the scene and booked as evidence.

No officers nor other citizens were injured during this incident.

Photograph of the knife held by the suspect.

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.