Man Selling Illegal Firearms Killed in Officer Involved Shooting

Los Angeles: A suspect who had just sold an illegal firearm to an undercover officer was shot and killed Monday night by officers who were taking him into custody.  The suspect led officers in a foot pursuit before confronting them in a parking lot where an officer involved shooting occurred.

On January 28, 2008, just before 7:30 p.m., officers from the 77th Street Area Narcotics Unit were conducting an undercover investigation after receiving information that a suspect later identified as 20-year-old Ronald Boone, was selling guns. After arranging a meeting with Boone in the area of Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard, Boone and a 17-year-old accomplice arrived and completed an illegal firearm sale. 

Following the transaction, uniformed officers were called in to arrest both suspects. The juvenile suspect was immediately taken into custody, but Boone ran from the officers in an attempt to elude capture.  He led officers in a foot pursuit to a nearby parking lot where he stopped and confronted one of the officers.  The officer believed Boone was attempting to retrieve a handgun and an officer involved shooting occurred. Boone was shot once in the left leg and taken into custody without further incident.

Los Angeles City Fire Department personnel treated Boone at the scene for his gunshot wound before taking him to a local hospital for further treatment where about 9 hours later, he died.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division is conducting an investigation into this incident.