EspañolTwo Shootings Involving Los Angeles Police Department Officers Under Investigation
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (April 19, 2024) – In separate incidents, two suspects were injured after being shot by Los Angeles Police Department officers, according to a story by the Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Police Department officials are saying that the first incident took place on Torrance Boulevard in Torrance. The LAPD and U.S. marshals were serving an arrest warrant for a man suspected of child abuse.
LAPD officers claim that the suspect opened fire on them before they returned fire and struck him. Both an officer and the suspect were injured in the shooting and transported to a local hospital.
In a separate incident, an LAPD officer was flagged down near 6th Street and San Pedro Street in Skid Row. That officer got a report about a possible assault with a deadly weapon.
Officers were able to locate a suspect who they claimed was armed with a knife. At some point during the encounter, police opened fire and shot the suspect.
A full investigation into both incidents remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Los Angeles Police Department Shootings
Police shootings remain all too common across California and the United States. Many of these incidents involve suspects in the midst of a mental health crisis. This is particularly true for areas in and around Skid Row, which have been disproportionately impacted by homelessness and mental health disorders. According to the International Bipolar Foundation, “Nationwide, at least 25% of people who are shot and killed by police officers suffer from acute mental illness at the time of their death. People with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be fatally shot during an encounter with police than people with their mental illnesses under control.” There are several steps police officers should take if they encounter a suspect they believe may be mentally ill.
- Request backup
- Calm the situation
- Avoid physical contact
- Determine if the suspect is taking medication
- Acknowledge the suspect’s feelings
- Not make any threats
Proper training techniques and de-escalation measures can go a long way toward preventing police shootings. According to the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, “Research suggests that organizational policies and training can safely reduce the use of deadly force. Similar training approaches have been used successfully by several LE agencies to increase use of de-escalation strategies in situations involving individuals with severe mental illness, owing to long-standing community concerns about use of force against this population.” Police officers are given a great deal of discretion in how they perform their job duties. But there are ways that officers can act inappropriately during an encounter.
- Lethal force should only be used as a measure of last resort. Officers should adhere to a use of force continuum, which means that they typically begin with less lethal measures first.
- Police officers should never hit or strike a suspect who has already been restrained.
- Police officers should not shoot a suspect merely because they are attempting to flee.
A police department in California could be liable for the excessive force of one of their officers. According to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of law, deprives someone of their rights afforded under the Constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. Any person who is injured by the excessive force of Los Angeles Police Department officers may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A civil rights attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Los Angeles Police Department Shootings
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were deeply concerned to hear about these two incidents involving LAPD officers. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be more accountability and oversight after use of force encounters.
Do you need more information about a shooting involving LAPD officers? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that people are aware of their rights and that police departments are held accountable for their unconstitutional actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we may be able to assist you. You can reach out to our office anytime at 626-799-9375.
