Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Press Release Re: Deputy Shooting Arson Suspect Susan Lu
02-27-25 LASD Deputy-Involved Shooting (DIS) in the 8700 block of Scott Street, Rosemead.
The following information is based on facts determined from an investigation into the incident described. The investigation is ongoing and as witnesses are interviewed, evidence is analyzed, and reports are reviewed, our understanding of the facts may change. The details described below accurately reflect the facts as we currently know them.
On February 26, 2025, at 6:06 p.m., Temple Station deputies responded to an arson-inprogress call on the 8700 block of Scott Street, Rosemead. The call stated a female at the residence had ignited an unknown item and threw the item toward a neighbor. The female was later identified as 56-year-old Susan Lu.
Upon arrival, deputies located Lu and attempted to contact her, but she ran into her residence. Deputies contained the location and made multiple attempts to establish communication with Lu. The Mental Evaluation Team responded and attempted negotiations for hours without success. Temple Station detectives ultimately obtained a search and arrest warrant for Lu on a charge of Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
On February 27, 2025, at approximately 12:30 a.m., deputies serving the warrant encountered Lu inside her residence, armed with a meat cleaver. A deputy gave Lu several verbal commands to drop the meat cleaver, but she refused. A 40mm Sage Deuce less-lethal weapon was used in an attempt to subdue Lu, but the baton rounds had minimal effect. Lu raised the meat cleaver toward deputies and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.
Lu was struck by gunfire and retreated into a closet. Deputies immediately approached Lu and rendered first aid until the arrival of Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel. Lu was subsequently transported to a local hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.
No deputies or other persons were injured during the incident.
A meat cleaver was recovered at the scene.
LASD Homicide investigators responded to the scene to conduct interviews, follow up, and process the scene. Representatives from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB), and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Justice System Integrity Division (JSID) also responded and monitored the investigation.
Once completed, the criminal investigation will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office to determine if the force used by the involved personnel violated any criminal laws. Once the District Attorney’s Office investigation is completed, the LASD will evaluate the actions of the personnel within the application of policy, procedures, and tactics.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Sheriff’s Homicide at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips may be received through CRIMESTOPPERS at 800-222-8477.
The employee involved in the deputy-involved shooting was identified as Deputy Gregory Chico.