EspañolLos Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detectives Investigating Shooting of Man Allegedly Involved in Monterey Park Attempted Kidnapping
MONTEREY PARK, LOS ANGELES (October 23, 2026) – Los Angeles police officers shot a man suspected of attempted kidnapping in Monterey Park along S. Atlantic Blvd.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials are saying that the incident occurred around 6:30 PM on Thursday. Officers received a call about an attempted kidnapping involving a man who was holding a knife.
They arrived at the scene and encountered a person who matched the description from the phone call. That person was allegedly armed with some type of knife when officers opened fire and shot him.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the incident to help the man. He was transported to a local hospital to receive treatment.
A full investigation into the circumstances leading up to the shooting remains underway.
Liability for Monterey Park Police Shootings
California law places a number of limits on when police officers are allowed to use deadly force. Penal Code § 835a states, “That the authority to use physical force, conferred on peace officers by this section, is a serious responsibility that shall be exercised judiciously and with respect for human rights and dignity and for the sanctity of every human life. The Legislature further finds and declares that every person has a right to be free from excessive use of force by officers acting under color of law.” Courts will take into consideration numerous factors when evaluating whether or not any instance of force was justified.
- Suspect’s Actions: They will consider what the suspect was doing at the time of the incident and whether or not any type of weapon was present.
- Alternatives: They will consider all of the available alternatives that officers had at the time. This includes maintaining a safe distance, getting behind cover, and maintaining communication.
- De-Escalation: Another important factor is whether officers attempted to de-escalate the encounter.
- Mental State: The mental state of the person who is injured should also be taken into consideration. There are specific police protocols involving suspects that are in the midst of a mental health crisis.
When police officers fail to follow a safety protocol promulgated by their department, this could be construed as evidence of negligence. Consider, for example, Hayes v. County of San Diego. That case involved deputies who entered a home after learning the man had been reported to be trying to harm himself. The person involved allegedly raised some type of knife before being fatally shot by responding officers. The court held that critical decisions made by officers that day could support a civil claim.
Preserving Evidence After a Police Shooting
Many people are seriously injured or killed every year in encounters involving police officers. According to one report by the California Department of Justice, there were 619 incidents involving force where a suspect sustained serious bodily injury or death in 2025 alone. A large portion of these incidents involved people who were in the midst of a mental health crisis. In fact, people who are struggling with their mental health are dramatically more likely to be killed in encounters with law enforcement. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any law-enforcement encounter in California.
- Body Camera Footage: All of the body camera footage from officers involved should be collected and carefully reviewed.
- Medical Reports: Medical reports related to a person’s injuries are another important piece of information.
- Eyewitnesses: The testimony of eyewitnesses can also help corroborate what happened in the lead-up to any encounter.
- Department Protocols: Department protocols related to the use of force can shed light on whether or not responding officers did as they were trained to in any encounter.
Police shootings tend to be highly preventable in many different situations. They often involve officers who were either unwilling or unable to properly de-escalate encounters. This is particularly true when officers encounter someone with serious mental health challenges. Unfortunately, police departments have demonstrated time and again that they will do everything in their power to deny responsibility when one of their officers seriously injures or kills someone. This is why it is so critical that these incidents are properly investigated by an outside party.
Investigating California Police Shootings
We at the Carrillo Law Firm were very concerned to hear about this police shooting in Monterey Park. It raises a number of important constitutional questions that still need to be addressed. The number of serious injury and fatal encounters involving the Los Angeles police in recent years remains deeply concerning.
Have you or a loved one been harmed by the excessive force of police officers in Los Angeles County? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of experienced civil rights advocates is here to support you. We understand how difficult it can be to get information and transparency after any police encounter. You can rest assured that we will investigate your case and identify all responsible parties. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help with your specific situation, we are here for you. You can contact us anytime at 626-799-9375.
