Officer Involved Shooting of Hollywood Officers Confronted by a Man with a Rifle NRF057-16ma

**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 facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**

Hollywood: Citizens directed officers to a man armed with a rifle. The man pointed the rifle at the officers and an officer involved shooting occurred.

On Friday, August 19, 2016, around 1:10 a.m., Hollywood Patrol Division Police Officer Jennifer Nodes, Serial No. 38200 and her partner were in the area of Sunset Boulevard and Hobart Avenue. A citizen directed the officer’s attention to a man, later identified as Marcello Luna, who was walking on the sidewalk. Luna was holding what appeared to be a rifle with a bayonet attached to the front of the barrel. When the officers saw Luna, they broadcast to Communications Division and requested a back-up. Hollywood Patrol Division Police Officer Jonathon Johnson, Serial No. 37836, and his partner responded to the back-up request and as they were travelling south on Hobart Avenue from Sunset Boulevard they saw Luna. They had exited their black and white police vehicle when Luna pointed the rifle in their direction; at which time, Officer Johnson fired two rounds at Luna. Luna was struck and fell to the ground. Officer Nodes saw Luna fall to the ground, still holding the rifle. Luna turned to his right, and fearing Luna was going to shoot at Officer Johnson and his partner, she fired one round at Luna.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and determined Luna to be deceased. There was a rifle with a bayonet attached to the front barrel recovered at scene.

This is the 18th incident in 2016 where a suspect was armed with a firearm or replica firearm resulting in a use of deadly force incident with an LAPD officer. In 2015, there were 19 incidents involving a suspect with a firearm and 6 additional incidents where the suspect used a replica firearm or pellet gun.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division is conducting a thorough investigation of the officer-involved shooting which will be presented to the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force and tactics employed by the officers complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office will also review the evidence collected during the investigation to determine whether any criminal laws were violated.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged to call the LAPD at any of the following numbers: • During business hours at 213-486-5230; • During non-business hours or on weekends at (877)-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247); • Anonymously 24-hours a day to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or by texting “LAPD” and your tip to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S); or • Online at www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.