Van Nuys Shooting: LAPD Officer Engages with Armed Suspect

On February 7, 2023, at approximately 3:35 p.m., an officer-involved shooting transpired in the Van Nuys Division of Los Angeles, as reported by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The incident began when uniformed officers from the Van Nuys Gang Enforcement Detail observed a male Hispanic individual, identified as Ramon Gonzalez, riding his bicycle near Tyrone Avenue and Victory Boulevard. The officers were aware that Gonzalez was wanted on a murder warrant and was also named in an Assault with a Deadly Weapon (ADW) shooting Investigative Report.

The officers ordered Gonzalez to stop and called for backup. However, Gonzalez did not comply and continued to ride his bicycle. The officers drove alongside him, and Gonzalez made contact with the passenger side mirror of the police vehicle, causing him to stop and flee on foot. During the ensuing foot chase, a Tactical Unintentional Discharge (TUD) occurred from the police vehicle. Gonzalez then removed a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at one of the officers, which led to the officer-involved shooting. Gonzalez was struck by the officer's rounds, dropped his handgun, and was subsequently taken into custody.

Gonzalez was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries and was later cleared for booking. He was booked on an open charge of ADW on a Police Officer with a Firearm, in addition to his existing No Bail felony warrant for murder. Additional charges related to the ADW shooting are pending. No officers or citizens were injured during the incident. A handgun, identified as a "Ghost Gun," was recovered at the scene with one round in the chamber and nine rounds in the magazine.

The LAPD's specialized Force Investigation Division is conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Board of Police Commissioners, and the Office of the Inspector General to determine the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation and whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD's policies and procedures.