Pacific Division Officer-Involved Shooting NRF039-19bm

April 26, 2021

***UPDATE***

The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer Jonathan Concetti, Serial No. 42332, assigned to Pacific Area.

**The following information is based on a preliminary and 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**

Venice: Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved-Shooting in which officers shot a man armed with a three-foot wooden plank.

On August 14, 2019, around 5:50 p.m., uniformed officers assigned to Pacific Patrol Division responded to a radio call of a screaming man at Thornton Court and Pacific Avenue. Upon arriving at the location, the officers encountered the suspect, John Penny, who was initially armed with a glass bottle. Penny refused to drop the bottle and approached officers. The officers deployed a taser, however it appears the darts did not strike Penny. Penny then armed himself with a three-foot-long wooden plank and again approached the officers, which resulted in an Officer-Involved- Shooting. Penny was struck once in the left arm and once in the left thigh. The officers also deployed one round from a beanbag shotgun and one 40mm round.

Penny was treated at scene by members of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and then transported via Rescue Ambulance (RA) to UCLA Westwood Medical Center, where he was treated and cleared for booking. No officers were injured during the incident.

A three-foot wooden plank was recovered at scene.

Force Investigation Division (FID) responded and is handling the administrative investigation and the FID Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT) is conducting the criminal investigation.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. Representatives from the Office of the Inspector General and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division responded and monitored the investigation.

The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners and the Office of the Inspector General to determine the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation and whether the use of deadly force complied with the LAPD’s policies and procedures. Additionally, representatives from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who responded to the scene will review the subsequent FID investigation; evidence collected and witness statements to determine if the force used by the officer(s) violated any criminal laws.

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.