Police Shoot Alleged Vandal at Ramona Gardens Complex
By EGP News Service
A Los Angeles police officer shot a suspected vandal who allegedly opened fire on officers with a shotgun and a pistol in a public housing complex in Boyle Heights, wounding him with a single shot, police said Jan. 25.
Officers Matthew Ensley and Jose Vazquez were on foot patrol in the Ramona Gardens housing complex in the 1500 block of Evergreen Avenue about 11:30 p.m. Saturday when they saw Oscar Velasquez, 26, and Gilbert Garcia, 20, both of Ramona Gardens, allegedly committing vandalism, police said.
Authorities did not say whether the two were tagging.
The men ran, and Velasquez allegedly pulled out a pistol-grip shotgun and began firing at the officers, police said. One of the officers fired back, but no one was hit.
Velasquez ran, and about a block later, he allegedly started shooting at officers with a handgun, police said.
An officer returned fire, hitting him in the arm with a single round, according to police.
Velasquez attempted to run again, but was taken into custody near the housing complex recreation center, police said.
Garcia was arrested shortly after the first shooting, police said. He was booked on suspicion of violating a court order and is being held in lieu of $5,000 bail.
Velasquez was treated for his injuries at White Memorial Hospital and later booked on suspicion of attempted murder, police said. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. Police did not confirm if either Garcia or Velasquez were gang members.
The officer-involved shooting will be investigated by the Force Investigation Division,
Ensley has been with the LAPD for four years and seven months. Vazquez has been with the department for 14 years and seven months.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting was asked to call the 24-hour tip line at (877) LAPD-24-7.
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January 29, 2009 Copyright © 2010 Eastern Group Publications, Inc.
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