Armed Suspect Fires at Police

Los Angeles: A man was arrested Saturday after he pointed and fired a handgun at police officers in the North Hollywood area.

On August 26, 2006, shortly after 1:00 a.m., officers from North Hollywood Area Property Crimes were working a plain clothes detail in the area of Burbank Boulevard and Tujunga Avenue, when they saw a vehicle being driven in a reckless manner.  Police followed the vehicle and notified Communications Division, requesting that uniformed back up units respond.

Before the additional units arrived, the suspect, later identified as 23 year old Jose Molina, stopped and exited his vehicle.  After officers identified themselves, Molina began firing a handgun in their direction.  Officers Shawn Smith, 31 years old, 9 years with the Department, and Scott Tween, 34 years old, 6 months with the Department, returned fire.  An Officer Involved Shooting resulted.

After firing several rounds at officers, Molina returned to his vehicle and drove away.  As he did, he threw the handgun out of the window and abruptly stopped his vehicle.  He and his brother, 27 year old Danny Molina, a passenger in the vehicle, were immediately arrested.

Both Jose and his brother were taken into custody without further incident.  Both were later booked at Van Nuys jail for attempted murder on a police officer.

During the shooting, Officer Tween fell to the ground, fracturing his right elbow.  He was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released.

Force Investigation Division is handling the inquiry. 

Questions may be directed to Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

Comments

[LEO]

A 6 month rookie working in plainclothes? Wow, talk about a major mistake. No wonder he fell and injured himself. Is the C.O. going to take a hit for this one?

Also, what does reckless driving have to do with a property crime? Is their mission property crimes or traffic enforcement?

Thank God the perp was a bad shot!

[Mark]

Just because it says 6 months with the department, doesn't mean he didn't have previous experience elsewhere. It doesn't matter how long you've done the job though, if you are qualified, or if you volunteer, or you are asked to perform a task, then you do it. If I was diving to avoid bullets, who knows what I would injure.

[L.A. Cop]

LEO, I agree with you about the 6 month rookie working a plain clothes assignment. However are you suggesting that a undercover officer ignore a reckless driver? I think if you found that an undercover officer ignored a reckless driver and that driver injured or killed a family member of yours you would not make that ignorant statement you made. "Also, what does reckless driving have to do with a property crime? Is their mission property crimes or traffic enforcement?" Get a clue!

[Ryan Smith]

LEO,

Are you serious? Does it really matter what crime was being committed or the detail the officers were working? Im glad to know that there are some officers that take action. This Jose doesnt need to be on the streets of a city that I live in clearly from his actions. Why are you attacking the officers for doing a police officers job in my opinion? Thankfully the officers were not hurt seriously!!!

[George]

What about the officers two of them and one perp. I would think the officers rate of return fire would double the perps and hopefully a round would find it's target. Morew time needed at the range Boys.

[Lt. De La Torre]

Three good things happened in this incident. Regardless of the crime, the officers "engaged" and took action. Two violent suspects and a gun were removed from the streets, preventing who knows what future crime. Finally the officers did an excellent job and are alive.

Bottom line, they did their job.

[Edgar]

I wanted to thank Sargeant Park of the Rampart Division for taking me on a ride along Sunday night August 28th. As a police candidate, I had no idea of what officers go through every day. Thanks to Sgt. Park, I have a better understanding and appreciation for what you all do. I'm looking forward to becoming a police officer in the near future, and will keep the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department in my prayers.

[robert]

Regardless of the situation, those officers were attempting to do the right thing (called for a black and white first to investigate a wreckless driver--sounds like a good call to me--). When the situation changed and the suspect stopped his vehicle and shot at them, the officers handled it to the best of their abilities. That is what is required from every police officer. Could things have been different?....sure. But then again this is not the movies, you cannot change the protagonists/antagonists, give them more time at the range, more time at their job, etc, etc. What happened cannot be changed and the officers are still around to work another day. Isn't that good enough?

[Gail]

Just to clarify, Tween has at least 10 years with the department, that is truly a typo.
Both these guys are hardworking, go-getters and I tip my hat to them and hope he heals quickly.