Suspect Armed with Handgun Fights with Hollenbeck Gang Enforcement Officers During Attempted Arrest

**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 July 28, 2016 at approximately 7 p.m. Hollenbeck Gang Enforcement Detail Officers attempted to stop a possible stolen vehicle driving in LAPD’s Hollenbeck Area. The driver failed to pull over and fled into a nearby residential neighborhood. The officers pursued the Nissan Altima when the car reached the end of a cul-de-sac and stopped. A passenger ran from the car into the driveway of a home in the 1200 block of Atwood Street.

Alert residents attempted to stop the fleeing suspect when officers arrived and attempted to take him into custody. The suspect fought with the officers causing them to fall to the ground and the struggle continued. The suspect was then seen armed with a loaded .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun. One officer subsequently fired two rounds striking the suspect.

The officers immediately requested a rescue ambulance and the suspect was taken to the hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics where he later died. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as, Annel Martinez a resident of Los Angeles was taken into custody. The armed suspect was later identified by the Los Angeles County Coroner as Omar Gonzalez also a resident of Los Angeles.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and 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 officers 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.