Robbery Results in an Officer-Involved-Shooting Involving Off Duty LAPD Reserve Officer NRF041-16ma

Updated: The reserve officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Reserve Police Officer Gerardo Perez, Serial No. R6509.

**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: An off-duty Reserve Los Angeles Police Officer was involved in an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) while purchasing lunch.

On July 7, 2016, around 3:15 p.m., the Reserve Officer was buying lunch at a fast food restaurant located in the 500 block of North Azusa Boulevard in Covina when the suspect (later identified as Victor Sigala) approached the officer and asked to borrow his phone. The officer told Sigala he didn’t have a phone with him, and walked away from Sigala.

Sigala re-approached the officer, pulled up his shirt, and displayed a handgun. Sigala then demanded the officer’s phone, as the suspect maintained his hand in his waistband area. Fearing that he was about to be shot, an Officer-Involved Shooting occurred.

The initial investigation revealed Sigala was armed with an “airsoft” and the reserve officer drew his weapon. A replica handgun was recovered at scene.

Sigala was pronounced dead at scene. The reserve officer was not injured. Force Investigation Division (FID) detectives responded and are investigating the Officer-Involved-shooting. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures. In addition, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the incident to determine whether any of the officers’ actions violated California criminal statutes.

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.