Officer-Involved-Shooting in Southeast Division NRF054-20fp

January 4, 2021

***UPDATE ***

The Southeast Division Officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer II Jacob Duchsherer, Serial No. 41800.

**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**

Southeast: Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved-Shooting (OIS) which occurred in Southeast Division.

On Friday, November 20, 2020, around 10:50 p.m., officers assigned to the Southeast Area Gang Enforcement Detail were patrolling the area in and around the 1300 block of E. Imperial Hwy. While doing so, the driver officer observed a male later identified as Nicholas Hankins, place what he believed was a handgun in a nearby vehicle. After confirming the item was a semiautomatic pistol, the officer informed his partner of what he observed and advised him to take Hankins into custody.

When the passenger officer attempted to do so, Hankins resisted, knocked the officer to the ground and ran. The officer got up and gave chase on foot. The driver officer initially stayed back with the located pistol, but continued to observe his partner until he and Hankins ran behind a building. At that point, the driver officer opted to disregard the pistol and join in the foot pursuit. The passenger officer became involved in a non-categorical use of force involving a TASER, but the suspect overpowered the officer, obtained control of the TASER and tased the officer resulting in an Officer-Involved-Shooting. Hankins was not struck by gunfire. Both officers then took Hankins into custody without further incident.

One officer received minor injuries due to being tased by Hankins. The other officer was not injured.

Suspect Haskins was transported to a local hospital, treated for being struck by a TASER dart, released and approved for booking. Suspect Bright was not injured.

A Springfield Armory, .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol was recovered from the scene.

The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and 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 the LAPD’s policies and procedures.