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Update
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the Chief of Police authorized the release of the name of the officer who was involved in an Officer Involved Shooting that occurred on January 20, 2025, in Southwest Area. The involved officer is Southwest Area Police Officer II Britney Brown, Serial No. 44698.
**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) in Southwest Division.
On January 20, 2025, around 10:55 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to multiple radio calls in an apartment complex in the 3900 block of Ursula Avenue. Additionally, one of the 911 callers told Communications Division that Ruffus suffered from mental illness. During their investigation, officers learned the suspect, later identified as 37-year-old Tiffany Shanae Ruffus, broke the front window of her apartment and the windows of two adjacent apartments. The vandalism victims directed officers to Ruffus, who was inside an apartment in the complex. Officers requested additional units to the location and formed a tactical team outside Ruffus’ apartment. Officers attempted to communicate with Ruffus; however, she refused to comply with commands. Officers obtained an apartment key and used it to open the apartment’s front door. Around 11:55 p.m., Ruffus emerged at the front door’s threshold, armed with a metal stove grate, and swung it at officers. A TASER was discharged; however, it was ineffective, and Ruffus continued to swing the grate at officers, which resulted in an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS). Ruffus fled to a bedroom of the apartment and shortly after surrendered to officers.
Ruffus was transported to a local hospital for TASER puncture wounds to her forearms. Ruffus had not been struck by gunfire and was subsequently cleared by medical staff and booked at 77th Regional Jail Section for 245(c)PC, Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer.
No officers or other community members were injured during this incident.
An approximately 20-inch black metal stove grate was recovered at the scene and booked as evidence.
Force Investigation Division (FID) investigators responded to the scene and are investigating this incident.
Call us 24/7 at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247) to share any helpful information you have.
Call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS
(800-222-8477) or submit an anonymous tip through our form.