Violent Struggle Lead to Officer Involved Shooting

Los Angeles: An officer shot and killed a violent man during a struggle when the man choked out her partner.

On Thursday night, August 9, 2007, at around 8:45 PM, Hollenbeck Area patrol officers Jeanette Flores and her partner responded to a directed call for service regarding domestic violence at 5243 Huntington Drive in El Sereno.

Upon arrival, the officers met with a pregnant woman and established that she was the victim of a spousal battery and the suspect had fled the scene. While conducting the investigation, the suspect, John Anthony Rico, 30, returned to the scene and a violent struggle ensued involving the officers and the suspect. During the altercation, Rico applied a chokehold to Officer Flores’ partner and he was incapacitated and unable to defend himself. An officer-involved shooting occurred in which Officer Flores fired one round from her service pistol at the suspect. Rico received a single gunshot wound to the head.

Rico was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officer Flores’ partner received a head injury and was taken to the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center where he was treated and released. Officer Flores received an injury to her right hand and was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where she was treated and released.

Officer Flores is 32 years of age. She has been with the Department for 8 years and 10 months.

Force Investigation Division personnel responded and are investigating the shooting.