Suspect Shot After Pointing Weapon at Officer

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, October 4, 2000

"Suspect Shot After Pointing Weapon at Officer"

Pacoima – On Tuesday, October 3, 2000, at approximately 1:40 p.m., Foothill Community Police Station uniformed Officers Timothy Smith, Serial Number 23091, (49 years of age, 19 years with the Department) and Ronald Walker, Serial Number 23254, (40 years of age, 13 years with the Department) were on routine patrol when they heard a broadcast of a "415 Man with a Gun" in the area of the 13000 Block of Daventry Street. As the officers were in the area of Louvre Street and Lehigh Avenue, they were approached by several witnesses who directed them to the suspect who they had observed waving a black handgun. The officers observed the suspect walking southbound on Lehigh Avenue approaching Filmore Street. The officers approached the suspect, in their black and white police vehicle, from the rear. Officer Walker was the driving officer and Officer Smith, the passenger officer. As the officers reached a safe point behind the suspect, they exited their police vehicle and took a position of cover behind their respective doors. After a command by Officer Smith, to the suspect, the suspect turned around and began walking northbound toward the officers, with his hands raised. Officer Smith left his position behind the door and took a position behind a tree on the parkway located on the westside of Lehigh Avenue

As the suspect continued walking northbound in the direction of the officers, the officers repeated their orders to the suspect to stop. The suspect then reached to his rear and removed, what the officers perceived to be a black semi-automatic type handgun. The suspect continued walking toward Officer Smith with the weapon in his hand in a somewhat lowered position. Officer Smith continued to order the suspect to stop and drop the weapon. The suspect then raised his hand and pointed the weapon at Officer Smith. Officer Smith, in fear for his life, fired rounds from his service weapon, striking the suspect in the upper torso. The officers took control of the suspect and summoned medical assistance. Los Angeles City Fire Department Paramedics responded to the location and transported the suspect to a local hospital where he was admitted and treated for a gunshot wound.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the weapon in the suspect’s possession was a BB/Dart/Pellet gun. The weapon was recovered at the scene. The suspect, who has not been identified, is described as a male Hispanic in his mid-thirties. The suspect is listed in guarded condition.

Robbery Homicide Division is conducting the investigation.

For further information regarding this press release, contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

This press release was prepared by Lieutenant Horace E. Frank, Officer-In-Charge, Media Relations Section 213-485-3586.

For Release 3:00 pm PDT
October 4, 2000