Officer Involved Shooting Occurs in Wilshire Area

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, May 26, 1999
On Friday, May 21, 1999, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department uniformed officers assigned to the Wilshire Area Bicycle Detail were on patrol in the area of La Brea Avenue and 4th Street when the attempted to stop a woman pushing a shopping cart to question her about a number of shopping cart thefts in the area.

Police Officers Edward Larrigan, serial number 30834, 27 years of age and five years with the Department and Kathy Clark, serial number 32832, 29 years of age and three years with the Department, were wearing Police Bicycle uniforms. The ordered the suspect to stop. The suspect refused to stop and instead pulled out a large screwdriver and threatened to kill the officers with it.

The police officers dismounted their bicycles and used verbalization techniques in an attempt to calm the suspect. The suspect then pushed her shopping cart into the officers. Both officers then drew their service weapons as the suspect continued to threaten them with the screwdriver.

The suspect then fled from the officers however she was stopped a short distance away. The suspect then lunged at Officer Larrigan and attempted to stab him with the screwdriver. Officer Larrigan had to move suddenly to avoid being stabbed by the suspect. The suspect continued her attack against the officer. Fearing for his safety, that he was about to be stabbed by the suspect, Officer Larrigan fired one round from his service weapon, striking the suspect in the shoulder. Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics treated the suspect at the scene and transported her to a local area hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division is investigating this incident.

The suspect is described only as a female African/American. The Los Angeles County Coroners Office is withholding the suspect’s identity pending notification of her next of kin.

For Release 12:20 pm PST
May 26, 1999