Full Notification

UPDATED: Sunday, December 23, 2012, 6:49PM:
Suspects Shoot at Whittier PD Officers & LASD Deputies in West Whittier (Co.). LASD Deputy Involved Shooting

Sheriff's Homicide Bureau detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding a deputy-involved shooting that occurred on Sunday morning, December 23, 2012, in the 7700 block of Norwalk Boulevard, Whittier (unincorporated).

Detectives have learned that on Saturday, December 22, 2012, at approximately 11:48 PM, officers from Whittier Police Department were in pursuit of a vehicle for traffic violations. The pursuit was later canceled.

Minutes later, a Sheriff's deputy from Pico Rivera Sheriff's Station saw the same vehicle driving recklessly in a residential area. Almost immediately after the deputy saw the vehicle, the suspect's vehicle accelerated and crashed through a fence at the end of a cul-de-sac on Norwalk Boulevard in Unincorporated Whittier.

After the vehicle crashed, the deputy saw the female driver and a male passenger exiting the vehicle. Simultaneously, both suspects began shooting in opposite directions at incoming Whittier Police Department vehicles approaching the area.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies and officers from Whittier Police Department established a containment of the area.

The Sheriff's Special Enforcement Bureau responded and numerous K-9 units were deployed.

The suspects were located in a converted garage behind the residence. It was determined that the suspect had a hostage and negotiations were made for the safe release of the hostage.

The suspect released a female. She was detained and later identified as the driver of the vehicle who shot at incoming Whittier Police Department officers.

After the woman came out, shots were fired from inside the garage and a window was broken from inside. A short time later, the suspect came out of the garage brandishing a weapon and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.

The suspect was hit by gunfire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A handgun was recovered near the suspect’s body.

The suspects' names are not being released at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

Whenever a Deputy-Involved Shooting occurs involving Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, and it results in a fatality, multiple independent investigations immediately begin at the scene. These include separate investigations by the Office of the Los Angeles District Attorney and the Los Angeles County Coroner, as well as investigations by Sheriff's Homicide Bureau and Internal Affairs Bureau. Attorneys with the Los Angeles Office of Independent Review also respond to the scene, and have full access to the facts known to the Sheriff's Department throughout every phase of these investigations. Once concluded, every aspect of the shooting is reviewed by the Sheriff's Executive Force Review Committee.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.



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(First) News Release. Sent: Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, 8:47AM

At about 1230am, Sunday, Shots were fired at Whittier PD (http://www.cityofwhittier.org/default.asp) officers attempting to stop a stolen car near Norwalk and Washington Blvd, West Whittier (Co.). LASD Pico Rivera (http://www.PicoRivera.lasd.org/) deputies were nearby and assisted in the immediate search for the suspects.

A search of the area resulted in containing the suspects to a garage on the 7700 block of Norwalk Blvd. in West Whittier (Co.). Nearby homes were evacuated for the safety of the community. LASD Special Enforcement Bureau (http://www.SEB.lasd.org/) deputies were called to the scene to assist with the barricaded armed suspects.

At least one shot was fired at LASD Special Enforcement Bureau from the garage while SEB deputies were conducting their area search.

At about 4:30am, a female came out of garage and surrendered to deputies. At least one male shooting suspect remained in the garage.

At about 6:50am, an armed male shooting suspect came out of garage and a Deputy Involved Shooting occurred. The suspect is deceased. No citizens or deputies were hit by gunfire.

Deputies continue to contain and search the area to ensure there are no additional suspects.

Whenever a Deputy-Involved Shooting occurs involving Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, and it results in a fatality, multiple independent investigations immediately begin at the scene. These include separate investigations by the Office of the Los Angeles District Attorney and the Los Angeles County Coroner, as well as investigations by Sheriff's Homicide Bureau and Internal Affairs Bureau. Attorneys with the Los Angeles Office of Independent Review also respond to the scene, and have full access to the facts known to the Sheriff's Department throughout every phase of these investigations. Once concluded, every aspect of the shooting is reviewed by the Sheriff's Executive Force Review Committee.

If you have any information about these incidents, please contact Sheriff's Homicide investigators at (323) 890-5500. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org



Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
323-267-4800
http://www.lasd.org
[email protected]
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Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department




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