Officer-Involved Shooting in Van Nuys NR12491ne

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys patrol officers are involved in an officer-involved shooting conducting a vandalism investigation in the 13800 block of Oxnard Street in response to a previously generated call of a “415 Man Armed with a Knife or Ax.”

The officers were in the apartment building courtyard when the vandalism suspect, 49-year-old Alexander Nestoiter walked by them.  The suspect was ordered to stop and initially refused to comply with the officers’ order.  When the suspect did stop, he turned toward Officer Lata in an aggressive stance.  In response, Officer Lata drew his baton and ordered the suspect to turn around and raise his hands.

The suspect failed to comply and reached to his rear waistband area.  Fearing the suspect was attempting to arm himself, Officer Lata dropped his baton and drew his service pistol.  Officer Lata again commanded the suspect to show his hands.  The suspect produced a Glock semiautomatic pistol, pointed it at Officer Lata, at which time an officer-involved shooting occurred.

Los Angeles Fire Paramedics responded and pronounced and suspect dead.  No officers were injured.

Los Angeles Police Department Force Investigation Division (FID) responded and will be handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and The Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.