A Los Angeles police officer was hospitalized after sustaining a gunshot wound in Pacoima on Friday morning.
The incident occurred around 8:20 a.m. when officers responded to a call reporting a restraining order violation in the 13200 block of Paxton Street, as reported by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Upon arrival, the officers encountered the suspect, identified as 52-year-old Pete Garcia, who was located in a rear structure. Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, the officers attempted to apprehend the suspect using a taser. However, their efforts were unsuccessful.
“During the ensuing struggle, Garcia produced a pistol from his front waistband area and aimed it at the officers,” stated an LAPD release on Saturday. “At the same time, one of the officers deployed a Taser on Garcia. Subsequently, Garcia discharged a single round from his pistol at the officers.”
The gunshot struck a 27-year-old officer in the hand. However, the officers managed to subdue the suspect and take him into custody before attending to the wounded officer, who was then transported to a local hospital.
“Our officer, fortunately, is in stable condition,” stated Deputy Chief Ruby Flores. “He was taken to a nearby hospital and is currently receiving medical care.”
The suspect, who sustained no injuries during the altercation, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder of a police officer. He is currently being held on bail set at $2,080,000.
Following investigations, authorities determined that Garcia’s firearm was a ghost gun, recovered at the scene and logged as evidence. Additionally, it was revealed that the bullet had likely struck a metal bed frame in the vicinity, with ricocheted fragments causing the injury to the officer’s hand.
UPDATE
February 23, 2024 NRF005-24rc
The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer II Marc Rios, Serial No. 44947, assigned to Foothill Division.
**The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**
Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that occurred in Foothill Division.
On February 16, 2024, at around 7:50 a.m., Foothill Division officers responded to a radio call of a Restraining Order Violation at a residence in the 13200 block of Paxton Street. The comments of the call indicated the Person Reporting (PR) had a restraining order against her husband, and he was at the location.
Once officers arrived, they met with a witness in the front yard who directed the officers to a back house on the property. There, officers met with the PR who confirmed the suspect, later identified as 52-year-old Pete Garcia, was inside. The officers approached the front door of the rear property and asked Garcia to step out of the location, Garcia refused.
The officers verbalized with Garcia for several minutes before making entry. While the officers were attempting to detain him, a physical struggle ensued. During the struggle, Garcia produced a pistol from his front waistband area and pointed it in the officers’ direction. Simultaneously, one of the officers TASED Garcia. Garcia then fired one round from his pistol at the officers, resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting. Garcia was not struck by gunfire. He was brought down to a bed, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Garcia was later transported by Fire Department ambulance to a local hospital where he was treated for unrelated medical issues. Garcia was subsequently booked and charged for 187(A)PC – Attempt Murder on a Police Officer and is being held on $2,080,000 bail.
Garcia’s gun was determined to be a Polymer pistol (Ghost Gun). It was recovered at scene and booked as evidence.
The officer involved in the shooting was transported to a nearby hospital where was treated for an injury to his left hand that he sustained during the incident and was later released.
It was later determined that the officer’s injury was likely caused by a round fired by Garcia that impacted a metal bed frame and the ricocheted fragments struck and impaled the officer’s hand.
No other community members were injured as a result of this incident.
Force Investigation Division (FID) investigators responded to the scene and are investigating this incident. Representatives from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Crimes Against Peace Officers Section (CAPOS) also responded to the scene.
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