LAPD Officer Involved in Shooting of Man Armed With Knife

Los Angeles: A man who attempted to stab a woman and threaten others with a knife on the streets in West Lake Village was shot and killed by a Los Angeles Police Department Officer.

On Sunday, September 5, 2010, around 1:00 p.m., Officers assigned to the Rampart Bicycle Unit, Officer Frank Hernandez, 13-years 5 months with the Department, Officer Steven Rodriguez, 5-years 3 months with the Department, and Officer Paris Pineda, 5-years 3 months with the Department, were flagged down by a person who informed them there was a man in the vicinity of 6th Street and Union Avenue armed with a knife threatening people.

The officers continued westbound 6th Street on their bicycles to Union Avenue where they saw the suspect holding a knife in a threatening manner.  The officers dismounted from their bicycles and approached the suspect.  He was ordered several times in both English and Spanish to drop his knife.  The suspect did not follow the officer’s orders and raised the knife over his head and lunged at Officer Hernandez who fired two shots.  The suspect fell to the ground where he was taken into custody without further incident.  The suspect’s knife was recovered at the scene.  No officers were injured.  Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and determined the suspect was deceased.  

The suspect’s name has not yet been released because of ongoing efforts to notify next of kin who reside outside of the United States.

LAPD’s Force Investigation Division (FID) responded and are handling the officer involved shooting.  Over the next several months, FID will complete an exhaustive investigation.   A preliminary investigation has revealed that several people were threatened by the suspect with the knife just prior to the officers’ arrival. Although blood was found on the knife, investigators have not conclusively determined whether or not the man injured anyone with it during the incident.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use of force policy which states that officer’ use of force actions must be reasonably objective.  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.

If anyone has any information that would be helpful in this case please contact Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230.

Comments

[Proud Angelino]

GREAT job!!!! THIS is what I want MY Officers doing. Protecting good, law abiding citizens from knife wielding drunkards. So happy to hear everyone is safe, and I hope these three HEROES get commendations.

Anyone who thinks differently, go to Guatamala and threaten a police officer there with a bloody knife...

[Jan Lewis]

Why not ask the protestors to line up, present their US identification cards, sign a protest sheet, and then invite thoses who pay taxes to a meeting to hear their grievances. If you don't pay taxes and you're not legal, you don't have a say. Seems simple to me.

[citizen]

I hear all the time that they this not T.V. you can't shoot the gun out of someone's hand you can't just shoot to wound you have to shoot to stop threat. Now the head is the smallest part on the human body and he was able to hit it twice. So he aimed at the head and hit it twice, so he could have aimed at chest or leg and still have stopped this person. Why the head?? This guy is a crack shot so he could have aimed someplace else.

[Mary Daniels]

I am absolutely astonished at what I see going on in this country.

My apologies to the officer that did what was necessary to keep the streets somewhat safer regarding the attitude of many who find this questionable that he has had to shoot people.

He is a police officer. More in his line of work then a waitress having to shoot someone wouldn't you say?

I find it riddled with hypocrisy that we are to give ILLEGAL immigrants the right to even protest and demand equality and demand rights that should not be afforded to them yet ignore the rights and duties of the police officer.

I am an American citizen and I am sure that under the circumstances I would have been shot also.

Perhaps they should view the pictures of slain officers and talk to their families. But, since they are not citizens I am hoping they cannot wear a badge so, therefore, I guess it will never happen to them.

This country needs to do something about ILLEGAL immigration.

Arizona today - the country tomorrow.

Does the word illegal jump out at them?

Of course, if there is unneeded force I would be screaming along with them. Here though - a knife-wielding individual can do a lot of hurt or cause death.

Perhaps, if they are unhappy with the way LAPD operates, or California, or the USA, they should go back to their native country. I am just real sure that justice is much better there, yes?

[Susan Vogt]

To All police officers: Thank you for your service to protect the public each and every day. I am so sorry some people are so judgmental and do not have attitudes of gratitude for your service. To Officer Hernandez: I am so thankful you were there to protect the public and that you were not hurt by this knife wheedling criminal. Bless you for your service and know there are hundreds of thousands of us who are thankful you are on the streets each day to protect us.
Mr. & Mrs. Vogt

[Concerned about the future.]

Why is it that on a shooting, does the department feel the need to disclose so much information on the investigative process? I understand transparency, but whenever this department feels a little media pressure they seem to always buckle. All the department needed to say is, "If you are armed with a deadly weapon and pose a deadly threat to a person, deadly force will be used within reason, PERIOD!" I am glad to hear the officers are safe, went home to their family, used good judgement, and only used deadly force as a last resort. This officer tried different tactics that failed and was only left with deadly force. THE SUSPECT'S ACTIONS DICTATED HIS DEMISE, NOT THE OFFICERS! OFFICERS REACT IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS AND ARE TAUGHT TO DE-ESCALATE THE SITUATION. NOT TO IMMEDIATELY SHOOT UNLESS NECESSARY.

And another thing, while on my soapbox. If it wasn't for our city being a sanctuary city for illegal immigration, this shooting would have never happened. I feel comfortable saying this because my father is a LAW-ABIDING naturalized citizen of this country and contributes. He does not sit in front of the labor ready or home depot or what have you, while drinking and gambling making other good citizens quality of life decrease dramatically. It is a shame this city has allowed a problem like immigration get out of hand because of political correctness. We should stand up for what is right!

[Robert]

Good job Officers keep up the good work.

[Supportive Citizen]

These officers and the rest of the LAPD deserve the support and respect of the public. Where are all the protesters & outraged citizens when a police officer is shot or stabbed in the line of duty? The men & women of the LAPD risk their lives & safety to protect the public and have my support and appreciation for the job that they do. A shooting is always upsetting and unfortunate but if officers has not responded someone else could have been killed or harmed by that man.

[Radio Head]

You can't really blame the policeman for shooting at the perpetrator, he was just protecting his safety and the others. Yes, he could have aimed at other body parts, but when your life is on the line, the right line of gunshot is blurred and forgotten.

[Enrique Orozco]

This entire debacle is basic siege mentality and no clear mission statement to the public. You have a subculture which exudes controlled aggression and assertiveness which is essential in controlling dangerous suspects. But in reality, more than half of police contacts do not fall in this category. The unfettered siege mentality starts to fester with roll calls that exude "tactics, tactics, tactics" but nothing to temper that "officer safety" mindset.

Yes, there is "officer safety" but it's becoming a worn door mat mantra. Officers buy their high end .45 cal Glock at LAPRAC and then can't wait to get the newest night sights and accessories to make that drastic plastic work for what it was designed for.

Mix this with a stewing adversarial relationship between the Central American grey market industry on 6th street, random enforcement for street vending, random and irregular arrests for the alcoholics that stumble around in the area----this sets up a stage for mixed messages and no clear cut defined goal. This goal has to be clear to the inhabitants of Rampart Div.

The officer's actions should not be lauded, applauded or crucified. He is definitely not a hero but he is not a villain.

It's only in his mind what was an imminent threat to his life and others...but wait, do you know how many times this mantra is spouted out in court? It's becoming old. Better if police management do something to cure the siege mentality and "pre-traumatic stress disorder" they are creating with officers.

I live and work in the area of 6th and Bixel and a retired LAPD officer...22 years. My humble politically incorrect 2 cents.