Full Notification

Press Conference on Thursday, August 7, 2014
Sheriff John L. Scott Statement

As we look back on the tragic events of Friday afternoon, I stand before you today to again express our deepest condolences and prayers to the Mendoza family and all of those impacted by the incident in Pico Rivera. It was, indeed, a tragic event for all of us.

As the circumstances of the shooting unfold, let us not forget the individual whose violent actions precipitated this horrible incident; the suspect, Cedric Ramirez, was an active gang member who had absconded from his parole. He was armed and willingly fired his weapon at deputies on multiple occasions during this event. He brazenly broke into the home of an innocent family, ultimately taking a hostage.

He demonstrated complete disregard for the safety of the Mendoza family, terrorizing them in a way that no one should have to experience.

As deputies contained the house, suspect Ramirez made his way to the back of the house as some family members were able to escape to safety out the front. The suspect then fired again at deputies, this time from inside the residence. Within seconds of those shots being fired, an individual appeared in the living room moving towards the front doorway. Based on the quick movement of the individual, a deputy positioned in the front yard thought he was the suspect trying to seek a position inside the front of the home to assault other deputies located outside the window. Believing he was an immediate threat to his partners, the deputy fired twice, striking the man, who fell to the floor just inside the front door. Tragically, it was Mr. Mendoza.

When it became apparent that Mr. Mendoza was not the suspect, deputies implemented a plan within minutes in an effort to get him medical attention.

As the tense situation continued for more than an 8-hour period, with a standoff, the situation deteriorated in the early morning hours of Saturday, with additional shots being fired by the suspect. Fearing for the safety of the female hostage, a special weapons team made entry into the home. The suspect engaged deputies with a handgun and was killed. Mrs. Mendoza, trapped inside the residence, was rescued unharmed.

This was a highly dynamic event, in which deputy sheriffs were forced to make split-second decisions in an effort to rescue family members from the home. The outcome was the heartbreaking death of an innocent man. As you can all imagine, the deputies involved in this incident are devastated by the events.

The investigation, led by the Department’s Homicide Bureau, is ongoing, and I am certain more will be learned from their work. However, the autopsy on Mr. Mendoza is now complete and it confirmed that our personnel fired the fatal round.

All of us within the Sheriff’s Department are intent on learning all of the facts surrounding this incident and doing everything humanly possible to prevent it from occurring again.

We have remained in contact with the Mendoza family, providing support and any resources necessary. We will continue to stand by their side for whatever period is necessary. We grieve with them for their loss and sincerely regret this tragedy ever occurred.

Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
323-267-4800
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
323-267-4800
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John L. Scott, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department