Officer-Involved Shooting of Warrant Suspect

Los Angeles: A suspect who was on probation and wanted for outstanding warrants led officers on a foot pursuit that ended in an officer-involved shooting Saturday.

On September 23, 2006, around 2:45 p.m., Northeast Area Officers Humberto Tovar and Luis Reyes responded to a report, received from an off-duty LAPD detective. The detective reported of a man with a handgun in the Atwater Village area of Los Angeles.

When the officers arrived at the 3400 block of Ferncroft Drive, they saw a suspect who matched the description. As officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, he looked in their direction and ran away. Police gave chase and saw the suspect reaching for his waistband. Holding a dark object in his hand, the man then turned toward the officers.

Officer Tovar fired his weapon, but the suspect was not hit. The man submitted to arrest without further incident.

The suspect was later identified as 20-year-old Kelvin Hamilton Vasquez. He was booked for Violation of Probation and outstanding warrants. Vasquez was on probation for possession of a loaded concealed firearm. No handgun was found.

Officer Tovar is 38 and has been with the LAPD for 13 years.

Force Investigation Division is handling the investigation. Questions may be directed to Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.