Officer-Involved-Shooting in Van Nuys Division NRF005-23jp

February 15, 2023

UPDATE

The officer involved in the incident below has been identified as Police Officers II Chris Mazmanyan, Serial No. 41771, Van Nuys Patrol Division.

February 8, 2023                                                                                                      

 **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 Van Nuys Division.

On February 7, 2023, at around 3:35 p.m., Van Nuys Gang Enforcement Detail (GED) uniformed officers observed a male Hispanic, identified as Ramon Gonzalez, riding his bicycle in the area of Tyrone Avenue and Victory Boulevard. The officers had prior knowledge that Gonzalez was wanted for a murder warrant and named on an Assault with a Deadly Weapon (ADW) shooting Investigative Report (IR) that occurred in Van Nuys Division.

The officers ordered Gonzalez to stop while broadcasting for back-up. Gonzalez failed to comply with the officers’ commands. The officers drove alongside Gonzalez at which time he made contact with the passenger side mirror causing him to stop, get off the bicycle, and flee on foot. As the passenger officer prepared to exit the police vehicle to pursue Gonzalez, a Tactical Unintentional Discharge (TUD) occurred. The officers continued to chase Gonzalez through a parking lot towards Victory Boulevard. During the foot pursuit, Gonzalez removed a handgun from his waistband, turned and pointed it at one of the officers, resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS). Gonzalez was struck by the officer’s rounds, dropped his handgun, and was subsequently taken into custody.

Gonzalez was transported to a local hospital and treated for his injuries and cleared for booking.  Gonzalez was booked on an open charge of ADW on a Police Officer with a Firearm, and his No Bail felony warrant for Murder. Additional charges for the ADW Shooting IR are pending.

No officers or citizens were injured during the incident.

A handgun was recovered at scene. The handgun was identified as a Ghost Gun with one round in the chamber and nine rounds in the magazine.

Photograph of handgun recovered at scene

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