Rampart Area Officer Involved Shooting NRF084-16bm

**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**

Los Angeles: On December 17, 2016, at approximately 7:17 p.m., Rampart Area Gang Enforcement Detail (GED) Police Officer II Tomas Perez, Serial No. 40180 and his partner Police Officer II Efrain Moreno, Serial No. 41478, were in the area of Lake Street and Olympic Boulevard when they observed a group of males. The officers recognized one of the individuals as Luis Pena, who had an outstanding warrant for Attempt Murder. The officers attempted to contact Pena, but he ran away on foot and officers followed. While in the area of Lake Street and James M. Wood Boulevard, Pena pointed a handgun at the officers, which resulted in an Officer-Involved-Shooting. Pena continued running and entered a multi-unit apartment building in the 2100 block of James M. Wood Boulevard. Metropolitan Division’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel responded to the location to search for Pena.

During the search for Pena, SWAT officers located him inside a trash dumpster in the alley adjacent to the apartment building. Numerous attempts to get Pena to surrender and exit the trash dumpster were unsuccessful. After deploying less-lethal munitions, SWAT personnel made contact with Pena and discovered that he suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Pena was pronounced dead at scene.

No officers were injured as a result of this incident and a firearm was recovered from inside the trash dumpster.

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 officer 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.