Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation in 77th Division

Los Angeles: On Saturday, November 27, 2004 , at about 11:00 p.m., Police Officer Mario Cardona, seven years and six months with the Department, and Police Officer Matthew Cundiff, nine year and eleven months with the Department, assigned to 77th Street Area, Gang Enforcement Detail, were responding to a loud party in the 8400 block of South Broadway.

As the officers were coordinating their tactical response with the other responding units, the officers heard gunshots inside the location and observed a suspect shooting. The officers entered the party and an Officer Involved Shooting occurred.

As a result of the incident, Officer Cardona was struck by gunfire, transported to a local hospital and treated for a gunshot wound to his abdomen. The suspect, identified as 19-year-old Jeremy Cervantes, died at the scene and the weapon was recovered.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division and Robbery-Homicide Detectives are conducting the investigation.

This news release was prepared by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.