Officer Shootings at Wilshire Division

Category: Crime Reports
Published on Friday, 02 August 2013 16:50
Written by Dawn Kirkpatrick

About 25 community members attended a community meeting at the Wilshire Community Police Station July 1 to hear the latest developments in the ongoing investigation of the attempted murder of LAPD officers, Offc. Bernard Romero and Det. Humberto Tovar, in front of the gates of the Wilshire station June 25 at about 4:34 a.m.


Dennis H. Kato, Commander of Operations-West Bureau and other LAPD officers thanked community members for their patience during the search for the gunman. Almost 250 officers and several K9 units searched a perimeter that extended from Pico Boulevard to Washington Boulevard and Redondo Boulevard to Crenshaw Boulevardthe day of the shooting. Parts of the perimeter were “locked down to about 3:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon,” Kato, said.

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“In the past week, we’ve probably had about five officer-involved shootings [in the city].  It just seems this summer more suspects are willing to take on the police. When someone in the community attacks a police officer, it’s really an attack against the community. It’s really an attack against society and saying….We don’t recognize that authority; we don’t want to be controlled by a community or go by the rules," he added to emphasize the connection between the police and the community in fighting crime.

LAPD Captain Lillian L. Carranza followed Commander Kato and explained that the LAPD was“following several leads” and tips from the community about the shooting, but to date there have been no arrests. The City Council, she said, is also helping in the investigation and is considering offering a $50,000 reward for any information that helps in the “identification and conviction” of the gunman. To date there is no word on this reward. 

Commander Kato warned community members that as a result of the shooting, there will be an increased police presence in the area, especially south of the Wilshire Community Police Station. Uniformed and plain-clothed officers will be patrolling the area in police cars as well as unmarked vehicles. People may be stopped for questioning and young kids and teenagers may be stopped if they are breaking the law or found on the streets early in the morning. People could be stopped for such things as a “broken tail light” or “a cracked windshield…. This is a typical response from the LAPD,” he added.

“We're not going to violate people’s rights” in these investigative activities, Detective Samuel Oka later stressed.

The gunman’s motive for the shooting could be anything. For example, the previous night,  the World on Wheels roller skating rink was closing, and a police skirmish line was set up outside of the rolling rink. Some people threw rocks at the police, said Kato. The gunman may have been angry that the rink was closing. This or any number of reasons may have been the motive behind the shooting, he said.

Officers handed out a community Alert Notification flyer at the meeting. For information about the flyer, contact SLO Hector Marquez at 213-793-0790 or SLO Ruben Gonzales at 213-923-0715.

At press time the gunman still remains at large.

The LAPD website has more details about the shooting as well as a video of the gunman leaving the scene of the crime, www.lapdonline.org/newsroom/news_view/53864.

"If anyone has any information about the shooting, please use the reference number DR# 1307-11686 and contact Detectives Barry Telis and Chris Gable at the Homicide Special Section, Robbery-Homicide Division, at (213) 486-6890, during business hours (Monday-Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.). During non-business hours, weekends and holidays, contact LAPD RACR Division’s 24-hour, toll-free number at 877 LAPD 247 (877-527-3247). If you would like to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. To send text tips, text the word TIPLA, a space, and then your message to CRIMES (274637). For web tips, log onto www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips,” according to an L.A.P.D. news release.



Photo by Dawn Kirkpatrick


Florida Fugitive Found in Mid-City






On July 18th, LAPD Olympic Community Police Station Senior Lead Officer Eric Mollinedo observed a 2004 Toyota Camry with no license plates in front of Councilman Herb J. Wesson’s office on Western Avenue above Washington Boulevard.  During the routine traffic stop, he disovered cocaine and an outstanding local warrant for the suspects arrest. It was then discovered the suspect was wanted in Florida and had alluded capture from authorities for 10 years by hiding in the Mid-City community.

The LAPD is currently withholding the suspect’s name and any other information pending further investigation.