Officer-Involved Shooting in Pacific Division NRF041-21ne

UPDATE:

The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Pacific Patrol Division Police Officer II Christopher Gonzalez, Serial No. 44010.

**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 Pacific Division.

On July 26, 2021, LAPD Pacific Patrol Division officers responded to a radio call of a “hot prowl burglary” at an apartment in the 3700 block of Barry Avenue. Upon their arrival, officers heard yelling and saw the suspect, later identified as 58-year-old Herman Gonzalez, through the broken front window of the apartment. Gonzalez was in the front living room, armed with a large kitchen knife. Gonzalez was holding the knife against an elderly woman, shielding himself behind her, as they walked toward the front door of the apartment. The officers gave Gonzalez multiple commands to drop the knife; however, he refused to comply; resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting.

Gonzalez was struck by the gunfire and fell to the floor. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and pronounced Gonzalez deceased.

The knife Gonzalez was armed with was recovered at scene.

No one else was injured during the incident.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses and supervised the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division. A representative 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, 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.