Plain Clothes Officers Involved in Shooting with Narcotics Suspect

Los Angeles: On Tuesday, April 9, 2002, at approximately 2:35 p.m., Narcotics Group, Field Enforcement Section, plainclothes officers, were traveling south in the 600 block of Shatto Place in their unmarked vehicle. The officers observed a male Hispanic, subsequently identified as Beto Sandoval, 26 years of age and an unidentified male Black standing in front of the apartment building located at 688 South Shatto Place. The officers believed a narcotics transaction had occurred and elected to investigate.

The officers proceeded on foot north on the west sidewalk of Shatto Place and noted Sandoval was now standing in front of the apartment building located at 673 South Shatto Place. As the officers attempted to question Sandoval, he responded by striking one of the officers on the upper body with his fist and fled on foot southbound.

The officers pursued Sandoval and subsequently detained him as he attempted to scale a chain link fence. At that time, Sandoval violently resisted by biting and striking the officers. During the altercation, Sandoval grasped one of the officers’ holstered pistol. The other officer, upon hearing his partner state that Sandoval had a hold of his pistol and believing his partner was about to be disarmed, fired one round at Sandoval, striking him on the left hip. Sandoval was taken into custody with further incident and was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery for a single gunshot wound. Sandoval was listed in stable condition.

Sandoval was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer. His bail was set at $50,000.00.

Both officers were transported to a local hospital for treatment. After treatment for minor injuries sustained during the altercation, both officers were released.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing and is being conducted by the Department’s Critical Incident Investigation Division. Investigators assigned to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office are conducting a concurrent investigation.
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.