The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is currently conducting an investigation into an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that took place in the Devonshire Division. The incident occurred on August 27, 2023, at approximately 11:12 a.m. in the 18000 block of Malden Street. The officers involved were uniformed patrol officers who observed an individual, later identified as 24-year-old Angel Ledesma, who they believed to be loitering near the front door of an apartment complex.
Upon seeing Ledesma, the officers exited their vehicle and approached him, asking where he lived. However, within moments, Ledesma began running towards the officers while holding a knife in his hand, with the blade pointed towards them. In response, the officers immediately ordered Ledesma to drop the knife, but he disregarded their commands and continued running towards them with the knife still in hand. As a result, an Officer-Involved Shooting occurred.
Video footage of the incident (embedded below) captures the moment when Ledesma was struck by gunfire, fell to the pavement, and was subsequently taken into custody without any further incident. The officers on the scene quickly provided medical aid to Ledesma until paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived. However, Ledesma was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The authorities recovered a folding knife from the crime scene, which had an approximate blade length of 2 ¾ inches and was fixed in the open position. This knife is currently being held as evidence for the ongoing investigation.
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Fortunately, no officers or civilians were injured during this incident, highlighting the effectiveness of the officers’ swift response to the threat posed by Ledesma’s armed advance. It is a testament to their training and commitment to public safety.
The image included in the content shows the knife held by Ledesma, providing a visual representation of the weapon that the officers had encountered and had to respond to.
As with any incident involving the use of force by law enforcement, the LAPD’s Force Investigation Division is conducting a thorough investigation to ensure that all aspects of the incident are examined. This process includes reviewing all available evidence, such as body camera footage, witness statements, and any other pertinent information. The goal is to determine whether the officers’ actions were justified and in compliance with departmental policies and procedures.
The investigation will also seek to establish the circumstances leading up to the encounter between Ledesma and the officers. This may involve gathering information about Ledesma’s background, mental state, and any potential motive behind his actions. Additionally, it will consider whether alternative measures could have been taken to de-escalate the situation and prevent the use of lethal force.
It is important to note that the officers involved in this incident have been placed on administrative leave, pending the conclusion of the investigation. This is a standard practice to ensure a fair and impartial review of the incident.
The LAPD is committed to transparency and accountability in all matters concerning public safety. As such, updates regarding the investigation will be provided to the public as soon as they become available. This commitment to transparency is crucial in maintaining public trust and ensuring the continued effectiveness of law enforcement in serving and protecting the community.
Any witnesses or individuals with relevant information regarding this incident are encouraged to come forward and provide their account of the event to assist in the investigation.
The tragic outcome of this Officer-Involved Shooting serves as a reminder of the challenging situations law enforcement officers face daily in their commitment to maintaining public safety. It also underscores the importance of ongoing training and support for officers to ensure the appropriate use of force when faced with potentially dangerous situations.
In conclusion, the LAPD’s Force Investigation Division is actively investigating the Officer-Involved Shooting that occurred in Devonshire Division. The incident involved Angel Ledesma, who was running towards officers while armed with a knife. Ledesma was struck by gunfire, taken into custody, and pronounced deceased at the scene. The investigation will determine the officers’ actions and whether they were justified. The LAPD remains committed to transparency and accountability, providing updates on the investigation to the public. Witness accounts and information are welcomed and encouraged. This unfortunate event highlights the challenging nature of law enforcement work and emphasizes the importance of ongoing training for officers in handling potentially dangerous situations.
