Officer-Involved Shooting in Southwest Division NRF048-020ma

October 27, 2020 The officers involved in the below incident have been identified as Police Officer IIs Andrew Cervantes, Serial No. 42925, and Arturo Leon, Serial No. 42943, from Southwest 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: Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that occurred in Southwest Division.

On October 17, 2020, around 11:30 p.m., uniformed patrol officers were northbound on Budlong Avenue from Jefferson Boulevard when they saw a shooting in progress. A grey sedan was stopped in the roadway, facing southbound and two passengers, suspect 1 and suspect 2, from the vehicle had exited and were firing handguns at a victim. The victim ran north on Budlong Avenue, pursued by suspect 2. When the officers stopped their vehicle, suspect 1 turned and pointed his handgun in the direction of the officers; at that time there was an officer-involved shooting.

Suspect 1 entered the passenger side of the grey sedan, which fled south on Budlong Avenue and crashing into a pole at Budlong Avenue and 35th Street. The occupants of the sedan fled on foot.

A large perimeter was established to search for the suspects. While maintaining the perimeter, a male was detained by officers. The male, later identified as 34-year-old Brandon Maxwell, was the registered owner of the grey sedan and had minor injuries, which appeared to be from broken glass. Maxwell was booked for attempt murder. No additional suspects were found during the search.

No officers were injured during the incident.

Two handguns were located at the scene and booked as evidence.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence.

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 LAPD’s policies and procedures. Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will review the subsequent FID investigation; evidence collected and witness statements to determine if the force used by the officers(s) was reasonable.