Officer Involved Shooting in Wilshire NRF057-15ne

July 16, 2015 NRF057-15ne

UPDATED

The officer involved in below incident has been identified as Police Officer Stephan Shuff, Serial No. 38533.

July 9, 2015

**The following information is based on a preliminary, 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 incident may change as the investigation continues and additional evidence is collected and analyzed.**

Los Angeles: On July 9, 2015, around 8:40 a.m., Wilshire Area patrol officers responded to a “Vandalism” radio call in the area of 8th Street and La Brea Avenue.

The officers responding to the radio call observed a man matching the description given in the details of the radio call who was reported to be breaking storefront windows with a skateboard. The suspect fled the scene on a skateboard. The officers caught up with the suspect at the 800 block of Sycamore Avenue, after the suspect jumped off or fell off his skateboard.

The officers approached the suspect and gave him verbal commands to submit to the arrest, the suspect refused to comply. A violent physical altercation ensued as the officers attempted to subdue the suspect using a variety of physical force. The officer used a Taser in direct contact mode in an effort to subdue the suspect but the Taser had no apparent effect.

The violent struggle continued and the suspect at some point was able to gain control of the Taser and use it, injuring one of the officers’ in the leg. The tased officer alerted the partner officer who drew their weapon resulting in an officer involved shooting.

The suspect was taken in to custody and transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, where he is listed in critical condition.

Both officers were injured during the incident. One injury on an officers’ leg was a burn mark, consistent with the close contact use of a Taser.

Both officers were treated and released at a local clinic.

Force Investigation Division investigators responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer involved shooting. The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Departments 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.

Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.