Rampart Officer Involved Shooting NRF054-15lp

July 2, 2015

***UPDATE***

Updated: The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer II Enrique Meraz, Serial No. 41215 assigned to Northeast Division.

**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 incident may change as the investigation continues and additional evidence is collected and analyzed.**

Los Angeles: On Monday, June 29, 2015 at around 1:00 a.m., uniformed patrol officers assigned to Rampart responded to a drive-by shooting radio call.

As a black and white police vehicle proceeded westbound on 11th Street, shots were heard north of their location. When the unit entered the intersection, three to four suspects were seen on Albany Street. Additional shots were heard and a muzzle flash was seen. One of the suspects then turned and pointed a handgun in the direction of the officers and an officer-involved shooting (OIS) occurred.

The suspects fled on foot with three potential suspects detained. A search for additional outstanding suspects and weapon(s) was conducted and met with negative results.

There was evidence recovered from the immediate area where the suspect(s) were observed firing a handgun. No arrests were made relative to the crime against the officers. No officers were injured.

Force Investigation Division responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer involved shooting and subsequent criminal investigation.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Departments use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable. Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved-shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.