Officer-Involved-Shooting in Southwest Division NRF003-21ma

UPDATE

February 4, 2021 The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Southwest Patrol Division Police Officer IIs Daniel Nunez, Serial No. 43338 and Antonio Valasco, Serial No. 43309.

**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 Southwest Division.

On January 27, 2021 around 10:30 p.m., LAPD Southwest Patrol Division officers responded to a radio call of an “Assault with a Deadly Weapon” in the area of 40th Place and Vermont Avenue. The comments of the radio call stated the suspect, later identified as 55-year-old Randy Miller, was armed with a knife and was assaulting his girlfriend. When officers arrived, they saw Miller in a parked vehicle repeatedly striking a female in a stabbing-type motion; at that time there was an officer-involved shooting.

Miller was struck by gunfire. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded and determined Miller had died at the scene.

A knife was recovered from inside the vehicle and booked as evidence.

The female victim sustained abrasions to her face. No officers were 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 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.