Woman Confronts Officers with a Knife Resulting In an Officer- Involved Shooting NR13458ne

November 14, 2013

Updated Release: The officer involved in the below officer-involved shooting has been identified as Police Officer Samuel Blanco.

October 14, 2013 NR13458ne

Los Angeles: On October 11, 2013, at around 1:25 p.m., Central Patrol Division uniformed police officers responded to a “415 Woman” radio call in the 100 block of East 3rd Street. When the officers arrived they were met by an individual whom directed them to the suspect, later identified as Evonne Mitchell, who resided in the hotel.

As the officers opened the door that was ajar, the suspect threw a glass mirror at them and then armed herself with a knife. The officers verbally ordered the suspect to stop and drop the knife but she continued to advance toward them at which time the officer-involved shooting occurred. The suspect was struck by the gunfire and fell to the floor where is as taken into custody. Mitchell was transported to a local hospital where she received medical treatment for a gunshot wound.

No officers were injured and the knife was recovered from within the room.

Los Angeles Police Department Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the incident and will be handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Office of the Inspector General and The Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable. Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division at (213) 486-5230. 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 Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.