Robbery Homicide Division Investigates Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer NR16278ma

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department Robbery Homicide Division is investigating an assault with a deadly weapon incident against a California Highway Patrol officer.

On September 5, 2016, around 11:50 p.m., California Highway Patrol officers responded to a radio call of a man walking in lanes of traffic on the northbound Harbor/110 Freeway near Olympic Boulevard. When officers arrived they saw a man, later identified as 38-year-old Mardell Leon Peirson, holding a metal stanchion. Peirson would not follow the officer’s commands to come off of the freeway. Peirson dropped the stanchion and picked up a piece of metal, approximately 2 feet long, believed to be a leaf spring from a vehicle suspension system, and charged at the officers. Fearing for his life, one CHP officer fired at Peirson. Peirson was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported Peirson to a local hospital where he received medical treatment. No officers were injured during this incident.

Peirson was booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer. LAPD Robbery Homicide Division is handling the criminal investigation related to the assault on the officer. California Highway Patrol will conduct an administrative investigation into the officer involved shooting.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact Robbery-Homicide Division detectives, at (213) 486-2155. 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 the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit ww.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.