Continuing its recently enacted policy of publicly releasing videos from so-called “critical incidents,” the Los Angeles Police Department Monday released dramatic footage from a shooting in July that left a suspect dead and a police officer with a leg wound.
The video, shot by officer-worn body cameras and a patrol car dash-cam, was taken during a July 27 traffic stop that turned deadly in North Hills. Two officers conducted a traffic stop near Plummer Street and Noble Avenue around 10:15 p.m., then approached the driver, now identified as 32-year-old Richard Mendoza.
A female officer who recognized the driver from prior contacts is seen on the video approaching the vehicle and interacting with the man behind the wheel, asking him if he is still on probation. The officer asks the man to step out of the vehicle, even asking him, “You don’t have anything on you, right?”
But as the man steps out of the car, he quickly produces a gun and shoots the officer, who falls to the ground. On the video, he is seen then turning toward the other LAPD officer, who was standing on the other side of the car. That officer quickly fires at the suspect, striking him in the head and upper body.
The officer can be heard radioing for help, calling out that an officer needs help and shots had been fired.
He approaches his wounded partner, asking her if she is OK and where she was hit.
“In my left leg,” the wounded officer responds, clearly in pain.
The suspect can be seen lying on the ground, face down, next to his car.
Police said he was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The shooting and officers’ actions are still under review by the department. Police said the suspect had prior convictions and was affiliated with a gang.