Authorities Friday identified a man who was fatally shot by Los Angeles Police Department officers who went to an apartment building in the Reseda area to arrest him in connection with a series of robberies.
Detectives and a SWAT team went to the 7900 block of Reseda Boulevard about 4:45 a.m. Thursday to serve a search and arrest warrant on 39-year-old Jeff Rocco, according to the LAPD.
“SWAT surrounded the apartment complex and made telephonic contact with … Rocco and ordered him to surrender,” police said in a statement.
“Shortly after, Rocco climbed over the third-story balcony of the apartment, armed with an assault rifle, and jumped to the ground. Rocco dropped the rifle as he struck the ground and immediately began to reach for it,” police said.
“As Rocco reacquired a grip on the rifle, an officer-involved shooting occurred. Rocco was struck by gunfire and was taken into custody,” police said.
Paramedics took him to a hospital, where he died. No other injuries were reported.
It was not immediately known if Rocco lived in the apartment complex.
“No officers or other community members were injured during this incident,” police said. “The rifle Rocco was armed with was recovered at the scene and was determined to be a 5.56-caliber semiautomatic ghost gun. The rifle was loaded with 39 rounds, and had an additional loaded magazine secured to the weapon. Force Investigation Division investigators responded to the scene and are investigating this incident.”