LAPD Blog

Community Information

During the first month of the LAPD Blog many people forwarded excellent ideas.  As we continue to learn more about this technology, we welcome your input.  One idea posted by a commentator, "rim" suggests we establish tabs for specific neighborhoods. For example, a "brentwood tab," "echo park tab," "highland park tab," etc, where information specific to that neighborhood could be housed. 

Rim's concept has much merit, and we are taking a very serious look at this idea.  Until then, the Department very recently unveiled two new programs, "E-Policing" and "Crime Maps" both that can be found on the home page of www.lapdonline.org.  E-Policing allows Los Angeles residents and business merchants to receive "timely" information about crimes, wanted suspects, police programs, and other information via their personal e-mail address.  All you have to do is sign-up, and the system will link your address to the concerned Senior Lead Officer of your Division/Area.  Unfortunately, the address must be within the City of Los Angeles, and does not cover the county, or adjacent cities.   

Crime maps provide you with a system to identify the crime trends in your neighborhoods, again in a timely manner, as the information is updated Monday through Thursday.  Other links available to you on the home page can connect you to the proper authorities should you have information about a crime, or wanted suspects.  You see the LAPD is not alone in the fight against crime, we need the public's help to both solve and prevent crime.   

Lieutenant Ruben De La Torre,
Public Communications Section

LAPD Unveils 20 Murder Convictions

Los Angeles:  Police Chief William Bratton highlighted 20 of the most prominent arrests and convictions for murder during a news conference this afternoon.

“While we hear and read about local murders when they happen, few people hear about the arrests,” said Chief Bratton.  “These 20 men represent twenty arrests for murders committed since the year 2001.”

Seven hundred forty-two murders were committed in South Los Angeles in the three years between 2003 and June 3, 2006.  Of those crimes, 255 were cleared by arrest.  Of those arrests, 95 cases ended in convictions.

The twenty men’s sentences totaled over 800 years in State prison.  The average age of the 20 men was 22 years.  The oldest defendant was 32 years old at the time of his crime and the youngest was only 16 years old.  Two of the defendants received life sentences without the possibility of parole.  Thirteen others received indeterminate life sentences.  None of the juries voted for a death penalty.

South Los Angeles makes up 13 percent of the city’s area, but the homicide rate last year was nearly 43 percent of all the city’s homicides.

So far this year, the homicide rate is down nearly 20 percent compared to last year.  Homicides are done nearly 11 percent citywide.

Detectives also displayed over 400 guns, all seized in the first four months of this year in just two divisions, Southeast and 77th Street.

“For everyone of these guns taken off the street, a potential life is saved,” said Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger.  “We need the public to know how important it is to turn in guns and the people who misuse them.”

Chief Bratton and the other participants encouraged the public to work with the police to identify suspects and solve crimes.  “For most violent crimes that occur, there are several people who know the perpetrator,” Chief Bratton added.  “We need those people to come forward to solve more crimes.”

Anyone with information on a crime is urged to call the LAPD’s 24-hour toll-free number
at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).  Callers can remain anonymous.

Off-duty Officer Assists in the Capture of Bank Robber

Los Angeles: An off-duty Los Angeles Police Detective played a significant role in the capture of an armed bank robbery suspect in the 28000 block of Western Avenue in Rancho Palos Verdes.

On June 2, 2006, around 2:30 p.m., Detective Virginia Rubalcava was doing what most parents do after work, picking up their children from school. However, on this day this simple routine would take a very different twist.

Rubalcava was picking up her son when she saw a man loitering in a nearby parking lot. The temperature that day was very warm and he was wearing a long sleeve shirt, a hooded sweatshirt and was carrying a red bag. The man appeared very nervous. Seconds later, a man ran up and shouted “Hey get back in the school, the bank
was just robbed and there he is,” referring to the man in the hooded sweatshirt. 

Rubalcava instructed her son to go back inside the school and then contacted local authorities, via 911.

The suspect walked to the rear of the school and opened a gate leading to a trash bin. He then walked back into the parking lot, but was no longer carrying the red bag. As he walked away from the parking lot, Rubalcava continued to monitor him while waiting for police.

Rubalcava noticed he was approaching a storage facility with several patrons inside. Rubalcava, concerned the suspect was still armed with a gun, decided to take action and approached the suspect. She drew her gun and ordered him to the ground. He was detained until police units arrived and arrested him. During the search, officers recovered several hundred-dollar bills from the suspect’s pocket, many of which still had the bank’s seal. Rubalcava directed officers to the trash bin were they recovered a handgun and the red bank bag.

According to investigators, the robber walked into the bank, pointed a gun at a teller and demanded money. After receiving the money, he walked behind the counter and demanded the keys to the cash drawers. When told by bank employees that there were no keys, the suspect turned and hit one of the employees twice in the face with his fist. Eventually, he gained access to a cash locker where he obtained more money. A total of $13,546 was recovered.

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

Photo Red Light Intersections Redux

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department announced the reactivation of the first intersection in Operations-Valley Bureau (second in the City) with new Photo Red Light (PRL) monitoring systems.  This system records vehicle license plates that run red lights.  Thirty more intersections will be outfitted in the near future for a total of 32 intersections Citywide.

In June 2005, the City's PRL contract was not renewed after many years because of poor quality of photographs.  In November 2005, the City Council approved the contract with a new vendor, Nestor Traffic  Systems, Inc.  The new system will be an improvement over the former system.  The dual-digital video camera system will record violators as they approach and travel through an intersection, after the light has changed to red.  The license plate will be photographed from the front and rear.

It is the addition of the rear-facing camera that officers anticipate will increase the likelihood of convictions; as it will record the signal light and document the distance the violator was behind the limit line the moment the light turns red.

The digital video system will record 30 still frames per second for each violation, allowing a greater opportunity to get a clear photograph of the driver.

The new system has added features like the ability to monitor and adjust the equipment remotely via a satellite.  It will also provide live photographs from the intersection during a breaking emergency.

The LAPD and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation will monitor the new system and analyze the results before deciding where to place the remaining 22 systems.

A sergeant and four officers will be assigned full time to administer the program.  They will use a laptop computer in court to present the digital evidence during disputed cases.

Media inquiries regarding this system may be referred to Sergeant Matthew MacWillie, Traffic Coordination Section, at 213-847-1630. 

A list of the current and former Photo Red Light intersections is available from Media Relations Section, upon request.

REPLY LETTER TO LOS ANGELES TIMES EDITORIAL

June 7, 2025

Los Angeles Times
Editorial Board

REPLY LETTER TO LOS ANGELES TIMES EDITORIAL [PDF]

In your June 5 editorial entitled “Dangerous Turf War,” the LA Times did a serious disservice to its readership.

Writing about a fictional “rift” and speculating about an “escalating rancor”, imagined to exist between myself and Mayor Villaraigosa, your writers violated the first principle of journalism:  accuracy.

In point of fact, I could not be more proud of the excellent working relationship I have with LA’s new mayor.

As your writers should be aware, Mayor Villaraigosa has made public safety the cornerstone of his administration.  I was proud to support his leadership in winning passage of an historic 1,000-officer build-up of the LA police force.  In fact, I appeared with the Mayor at your editorial board to support his plan.

The Mayor and I meet regularly, and we have developed a relationship based on candor and mutual trust.  I support our Mayor by calling issues as I see them.  That’s why I was selected, and that’s what I get paid to do.  The issue is about public safety, not turf or personalities.  The Mayor is smart and confident.  He doesn’t want a bunch of “yes men” to tell him what they think he wants to hear.

I am confident that the current controversy surrounding airport policing and public safety will be satisfactorily resolved.

Sincerely,

WILLIAM J. BRATTON
Chief of Police

Police Seeks Gunman Who Killed Lawyer

Los Angeles:  On June 6, 2006, Roni Hardy, a 49-year-old lawyer, died at a local hospital after gunman shot him two days ago.

The shooting happened just before midnight in front of Hardy’s home, located in the 2200 block of West 24th Street.

According to police, the victim was walking to his car, parked in front of his home when a gunman walked from behind, shot him in the back of the head, and ran away.

The motive of the murder is unknown and investigators have a few leads.

Anyone with information is asked to call Southwest Homicide Detectives Ed Clark and Stacey Szymkowiak at 213-485-2417.

Three Men Are Targets of Gunfire, One Shot and Killed

Los Angeles:  Southwest Area Homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating any witnesses who may have seen a shooting in south Los Angeles on Saturday.

On June 3, 2006, around 12:10 a.m., Jonathon Paredes, 18, Miguel Uria, 20, and Henry Villalobos, 26, were walking on the sidewalk of 25th Street, east of Bronson Avenue.  A car with two occupants pulled along side them.  The driver asked where they were from.  In order to avoid a confrontation, the three men crossed the street.  Still the suspects followed.  The suspects stopped their vehicle alongside the men and fired multiple gunshots, striking Paredes.  Fearing for their own safety, Uria and Villalobos ran from the scene.  The suspects left in an unknown direction.

Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene of the shooting and pronounced Paredes dead.

The suspects were described as male Blacks. The driver was 6’ tall, weighed 250-275 pounds, and was 25-30 years of age.  There was no further information on the car or the second suspect.   

Anyone with information is asked to call Southwest Homicide Detectives at 213-485-2418.  On weekends and during off-hours, phone the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Wounded Officer Needs Help

Los Angeles:  During the Police Commission's board meeting, Chief William Bratton acknowledged six police officers and two paramedics who kept Officer Kristina Ripatti alive last Saturday night after she was shot by an armed robber.  The chief also addressed his concern for a disturbing trend of assaults against officers.

Last Saturday, June 3, 2006, Officer Ripatti, 33, was shot critically by James McNeal, who had just robbed a gas station at gunpoint.  Her partner, Officer Joe Meyer, 35, immediately returned fire and killed McNeal.  One bullet went through Ripatti's arm, and the second one entered her chest near the armpit, above her ballistic vest.

Unfortunately, as of June 6, Officer Ripatti is showing signs of being paralyzed from the chest down and she is still in critical but stable condition.

The Kristi Ripatti Trustee Donation Account has been established at the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union (LAPFCU).  Persons who would like to make a donation can make one payable to Kristi Ripatti or her husband Tim Pearce and mail to LAPFCU, 16150 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91410, or link to www.LAFCU.org.

For further information contact Sergeant Frank Preciado, Southwest Division, at 213-485-2580.

Police Asking for Help in Locating a Man with Lung Cancer

Update:  Mr. Elam was found by Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies in Slauson this afternoon.  He has been reunited with his family.

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department and the Elam family are asking for the public's help in locating Mr. Melvin Elam, who has been missing since June 4, 2006.

Mr. Elam's family reported that on Sunday, June 4, at about 2:00 in the morning, Mr. Elam was asleep in the family's residence located in the 2000 block of 113th Street in South Los Angeles.  When the family awoke the following day at around 6:00 a.m., they noticed that Mr. Elam was not home and had wondered off during the night.

Mr. Elam is a 61-year-old black man with salt and pepper hair and brown eyes.  He is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weights 130 pounds.  He has a tattoo of a snake on his right forearm.  He is in poor physical and mental condition and has level four lung cancer.  He may be unable to recall his name, address or whereabouts.                   

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Elam, is asked to contact Detective Mullins, Missing Persons Unit, at 213-485-5381. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24 hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Sorry LA Times – It’s about public safety, not turf or personalities

A recent LA Times editorial underestimated my relationship with Mayor Villaraigosa relative to the Airport Police issue and my reasons for voicing my opinion about the potential public safety effects of the Airport Police at LAX seeking new policing and pension benefits.  The Mayor and I have always had and continue to enjoy a solid relationship based on mutual respect and trust. I am comfortable with my role, and the Mayor is comfortable, I am sure, with his role as the City’s Chief Executive and the ultimate decision-maker. So, just to be clear, there is no tension between us, no matter how much the pundits at the LA Times would like to create that kind of City Hall drama. The Mayor and I are just fine. Thank you.

I meet one on one with the Mayor on a regular basis, and he relies on me, as he relies on his other general managers, to provide him with advice and counsel and, most of all, my opinion on issues related to the safety and security of Los Angeles.  A significant part of that safety equation is the Los Angeles International Airport, the highest identified terrorist target on the West Coast.

Now, about the airport - The editorial and the LA Times news story upon which it is apparently based (June 2, 2006: Bratton Rips Proposal of LAX Police) are significantly inaccurate.  As my hero Sergeant Joe Friday would say, here are “just the facts,” relating to the so-called controversy between the Los Angeles World Airports Police Department (LAWAPD) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), as I understand them and my opinion on what needs to take place.

The LAWAPD is an 830.33 agency, according to the California Penal Code (PC).  This means that according to State law, LAWAPD officers are only allowed to function as peace officers in or about a property owned and or administered by their employer, the Los Angeles World Airports.  The LAWAPD is seeking, through State legislation, 830.1 PC status, which would allow them peace officer status anywhere in the State of California.  This seems like a minor change, but the repercussions for security, liability, and City expense are potentially significant.   Not reported in both the poorly researched news accounts and the editorial is another underlying motivation – a change in pension status that offers significant financial and disability benefits to LAWAPD officers, which I have taken no position on since it doesn’t affect public safety at the airport.

In reference to their police powers, this status change would allow LAWAPD officers to, among other things, make vehicle stops, engage in vehicle pursuits outside of the airport, serve search warrants anywhere in the city or state, and to form and deploy a special weapons team and bomb squad. What is potentially problematic and certainly more costly in terms of liability and inefficiency is to have two equally empowered police agencies both with “primary responsibility” operating in the same arena.

The Penal Code recognizes the need for the Chief of the City police department to exercise a measure of control over other agencies operating within his or her jurisdiction by stipulating that the Chief may confer “full” peace officer status on officers serving within the City’s jurisdiction.  The current tiered configuration allows the Chief of Police the appropriate level of control over law enforcement activities in the jurisdiction for which the Chief is ultimately responsible.  By going to the Legislature, the Los Angeles World Airports is effectively side stepping the existing Penal Code provisions governing the matter and cutting the Mayor, the Police Chief, and the City Council out of a process on an issue that should be their decision, not that of a state body.

Last year, after a long and arduous debate regarding the responsibilities of the LAWAPD versus the LAPD and calls for a possible merger, a City Charter amendment reaffirmed that the LAWAPD reports to the Los Angeles World Airports Board.  The Charter amendment did not directly address areas of mutual concern or the status of LAWAPD officers as defined by the California Penal Code. Effectively, the issue of a merger was put on the “back burner” and the two agencies agreed to forge ahead and work closely on the security of the airport.  For the record, my previous comments misinterpreted by the LA Times not withstanding, I believe that the LAWAPD is very good at what they currently do, but they are not equipped to do it all and here’s why. 

The LAWAPD currently lacks the stringent hiring and background standards of the LAPD.  LAWAPD officers do not receive the extensive training afforded to LAPD officers, they are understaffed, and do not possess nor do they need the legal right to perform many of the essential duties that LAPD officers perform on a daily basis.  They have a limited mission, and the powers they seek would diminish not enhance their focused efforts at the airport. The bottom line is that when faced with a major emergency, the LAPD resources far outweigh the resources of the airport police, both in terms of overall expertise and sheer numbers.  The LAWAPD could never be sufficiently staffed to deal with emergencies and catastrophes that would require the much larger resources and capabilities of the LAPD.  It would simply be too expensive to maintain.

As I previously mentioned, it is no secret that I believe and have believed all along that we should move to merge the agencies in order to better secure LAX, one of the nation’s foremost terrorist targets.  I do recognize that this opinion is unpopular and politically not viable at the moment.  The fact remains, however, that the LAWAPD cannot perform this important mission on its own.  In addition to a full-time complement of 53 LAPD officers permanently assigned to the airport, the LAPD has been staffing the airport with overtime details to the tune of nearly one million dollars per month.  Even with this expenditure, it is still much more efficient to staff these posts with LAPD officers on an overtime basis than it would be to hire full-time equivalent LAWAPD officers with the commensurate levels of benefits. The current configuration allows for more flexibility to reduce or expand the staffing at the airport in response to the threat level. It also allows us to have a ready reserve already in place at the airport in case of an emergency.    LAWAPD would have to hire and deploy at least 140 more officers to assume the basic responsibility of manning the security checkpoints where LAPD officers on overtime are now deployed.  Based even on the most liberal hiring practices and reduced training time, it would take them years to accomplish that large increase in their force so as not to risk a decrease in the quality of their personnel.

Accepting that any kind of merger is not possible at this juncture, how do we perform an important unified mission with two separate agencies that may end up with overlapping or misunderstood responsibilities?  The answer: through a Memorandum of Agreement.

The LAPD, at my direction, has worked out the terms of a new MOA with the LAWAPD.  The new MOA is based on mutually agreed upon solutions to interagency issues that we have identified together since the last MOA was signed in 1988.  The new MOA covers issues ranging from investigative responsibility to vehicle pursuits, to use of force policy and investigative procedures, and the deployment of special weapons teams. Operationally, the agencies have come to an agreement, the City Attorney has weighed in and, since March 7, 2006, I have been waiting for the airport leadership to sign this essential public safety document.  Here is an additional concern that I have.  I am unsure if the bill passes how LAWAPD’s status will affect the relationship between the two agencies and the way we work together to ensure the safety of the City of Los Angeles both at the airport and outside of the airport environment.  It will probably, at a minimum, require significant renegotiation of the new MOA.

So, given all of that, in addition to getting the MOA signed, here’s the solution I propose. Regardless of whether or not the legislation passes affording the LAWAPD 830.1 status, all future LAWAPD police recruits should go through the same rigorous background employment screening and recruit training that LAPD applicants receive.  I am offering to train their personnel at our academy. Both agencies, and more importantly public safety at the airport would be enhanced by this coordinating effort. 

If afforded 830.1 status, then by all means LAWAPD officers should rightfully receive the same benefits as their LAPD counterparts; and in return for the enhanced responsibilities, LAWAPD should adhere to same hiring standards and background investigations and training requirements as the LAPD.  This will help to ensure that the airport continues to be staffed by high-quality officers who are better trained and equipped to complete their public safety mission and work with their counterparts at the LAPD.

In the end, let me assure everyone that the LAPD officers assigned to the airport work very well with their brother and sister officers from LAWAPD.   Should a major incident occur, I am sure that the men and women of both of these law enforcement agencies will perform admirably despite the current situation.  As far as the boots on the ground are concerned there is no turf war, just good cops doing their best to secure our travelling public.   

The “turf war” is a creation of the press.  My focus and concern is public safety, not turf, and I will continue to speak out on that issue whenever I feel it is necessary. Fortunately I work for a Mayor who is confident enough and smart enough to not want to surround himself with a bunch of “yes men” telling him only what they think he wants to hear. Sorry LA Times – you are missing the real story on this one.

Chief William J. Bratton

Heroic Measures Save LAPD Officer's Life, Police face rash of Armed Assaults

Los Angeles:  I would like to recognize six officers and two Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics who kept Officer Kristina Ripatti alive last Saturday night after she was shot by an armed robber. 

"If it weren't for the immediate actions and professional training of these men, we would have lost Kristina that night." "Not only did they save the life of a fellow police officer, they saved the life of a mother, daughter and wife."

Officer Ripatti, 33, was shot by James McNeal, unbeknownst to the officers, McNeal had just robbed a gas station.  Her partner, Officer Joel Meyer, 35, immediately returned fire, killing McNeal.  Within seconds of hearing Meyer's radio call, "Officer needs help. Officer Down," plainclothes Sergeant Robin Brown arrived and with Officer Meyer they worked frantically to control Kristina's bleeding.

Nearby, four SWAT officers, Ralph Ward, Gary Koba, Gil Pinel, and Keith Bertonneau, all veteran officers had just completed a crime suppression detail and were at Southwest Police Station, two blocks from the shooting. Within one minute of the help call, the four officers, all Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) were at Officer Ripatti's side with their medical equipment. 

The four EMT-trained officers took over from Officer Meyer and Sergeant Brown. One bullet went through Ripatti's arm, and the second one entered her chest near the armpit, above her ballistic vest. "The officers' actions in aid of their comrade were nothing less than extraordinary."

The decisive actions of the two Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics, Gerald Puga and Adrian Vasquez from Rescue Ambulance 34 must also be recognized. They along with Engine Company 34, led by Captain Christopher Grahek, and manned by Firefighter/EMTs Max Dino, Eddie Matamoros and Engineer Dae-Ho Moon, assisted in the rescue, and have the Department's sincerest gratitude.

There is a significant uptrend of assaults on police officers where suspects fire upon officers, often completely unprovoked.  Since January, 18 police officers have been shot at in 11 incidents, as compared to 6 such incidents for the same period last year, and 15 total for 2005.

Updates on Officer Kristina Ripatti's condition will be posted as they become available. 

William J. Bratton

Chief of Police

Shooting Death at High School

Los Angeles: Pacific Area Homicide detectives are asking for the public's help in locating any witnesses to a shooting in which a young man lost his life Monday afternoon.

On June 5, 2006, at approximately 3:10 p.m., 17-year-old Augustine Contreras was on campus at Venice High School, in the 13000 block of Venice Boulevard, in western Los Angeles. His two brothers became involved in a fight with at least five male black suspects. Contreras entered the struggle to help his brothers.

One of the suspects pulled a handgun and shot Contreras once in the chest. The suspects then ran from the campus. The shooter does not appear to have been a student at the school.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries at 3:40 p.m.

Anyone with information is asked to call Pacific Area Homicide Detectives at 310-482-6313, during normal business hours. On weekends and during off-hours, phone the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855). Persons with information may remain anonymous and are encouraged to call.

Man Shot and Injured at Party, Second Man Killed

Los Angeles:  A man was shot and injured early Saturday morning at a party in the Eagle Rock area of Los Angeles. The suspect in the shooting, himself hit by gunfire as he rode in a car fleeing the scene, died enroute to the hospital.

Shortly after midnight, the morning of Saturday, June 3, 2006, officers were called to a shooting at a residence in the 1500 block of Waldran Avenue. Police found the victim, identified as Alexander Foster, a 26-year-old male White, with a gunshot wound to the head. Foster was taken by paramedics to a local hospital where he was admitted in stable condition.

Witnesses described the suspects as 3-4 male Blacks and 1 female Hispanic, seen speeding away in a dark Mercedez. As additional LAPD units responded to the scene of the shooting, several calls were received from the Pasadena Police Department. Pasadena officers reported detaining 2 male Blacks and 1 female Hispanic who had arrived at a local hospital driving a dark blue Mercedez. In the back of the vehicle was 17-year-old Kwame Gordon, a male Black, dead of a gunshot wound.

Preliminary reports revealed that Gordon and several friends had arrived at the Waldran Avenue residence for a graduation party and were denied entrance. Several minutes later, Foster, a friend of the party host, saw Gordon and his friends loitering outside the home, causing a disturbance. He asked the group to leave. Gordon then reportedly pulled a handgun and shot Foster once in the head. An unknown suspect(s) fired several rounds in Gordon's direction as he left, striking him once in the upper body.

The shooting does not appear to be gang related.

Anyone with information is asked to call Northeast Homicide Detective Carrillo or Yamada at 213-847-4261, during normal business hours. After hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-ASK-LAPD (275-3855). The identity of callers wishing to remain anonymous will remain protected.

Los Angeles Police Officer Critically Injured in Shooting with Armed Robbery Suspect

Los Angeles:   An LAPD officer was critically wounded Saturday night during a shooting with an armed robbery suspect in Southwest Los Angeles.

Based on the preliminary investigation, on June 3, 2006, around 10:30 p.m., Southwest Area Officer Kristina Ripatti and her partner, Officer Joe Meyer, were patrolling the area of La Salle and Leighton Avenues, in the Exposition Park area.  A man ran directly in front of their marked patrol car, mid-block on Leighton Avenue.  The officers slowed their vehicle to avoid hitting him, exited their vehicle and followed the suspect, 52-year-old James Fenton McNeal.

McNeal reached the front porch of a nearby residence, turned, pointed a gun at the officers and fired. An officer involved shooting occurred.  McNeal was struck in the torso and died at the scene.  Officer Ripatti was struck twice by the suspect's gunfire, and was taken by paramedics to California Hospital Medical Center, where she remains in critical but stable condition, with serious wounds.

It was later learned that the suspect had just committed a robbery at a local gas station.  McNeal, a career criminal, had served multiple prison terms for a long list of violent crimes, including armed robbery and murder.  He was most recently released from the Central Men's Colony, San Luis Obispo, on August 18, 2002, after serving 9 years for attempted robbery, and subsequently spent 3 years on parole, ending November 18, 2005.

Officer Ripatti is 33 years old and has been with the Los Angeles Police Department for 10 years.  She is married to LAPD Police Officer Tim Pearce, also a 10-year veteran of the department, a classmate and former partner of Officer Ripatti.  He is among the officers who responded to the shooting scene.  They have a 15-month-old daughter.

"This occurrence is a tragic reminder of the dangers that the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department face every single day.  It underscores the bravery and sacrifice they routinely exhibit in seeking to protect our citizens from criminals and enforce the rule of law in our streets," said Police Chief William J. Bratton.  "Our prayers and deep concern are with Officer Ripatti and her family."