LAPD body cam and surveillance video released showing man pointing weapon at officer
By: On January 21, 2023 around 3:08 a.m., Mission Division patrol officers were in the area of Hoyt Street and Canterbury Avenue conducting a stolen vehicle investigation. The officers saw two men and a woman walking on Hoyt Street. They exited their police vehicle and attempted to detain them as part of the stolen vehicle investigation. One of the men, later identified as 32-year-old David Morales, ran westbound on Hoyt Street.
The officers briefly chased Morales, who turned toward one of the officers and pointed what appeared to be a firearm in their direction; at that time, an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) occurred when one of the officers fired at Morales.
The officers established a perimeter to search for Morales and the additional man, later identified as 42-year-old Ricardo Mercado, and woman, later identified as 26-year-old Kimberly Gonzalez.
Metropolitan Division K9 officers and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) responded to conduct the search of the area. Morales, Mercado, and Gonzalez had separated, but during the course of the search, all were taken into custody. Morales and Gonzalez were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment for minor injuries received from the K9. One officer received medical treatment at the scene for abrasions sustained from a fall during the incident.
No firearm was found during a search of the area. A reported stolen vehicle was recovered on Hoyt Street.
Morales was booked for Attempt Murder, 664/187 PC. Mercado and Gonzalez were booked for Resisting Arrest, 148(a)(1) PC.