1. No charges for LAPD officers involved in fatal shooting in Pico-Union
2. LAPD officers not charged in Pico-Union shooting resulting in death.
By Trend News Line 2024-02-10 01:42:18.
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California DOJ Will Not Bring Charges Against LAPD Officers in Fatal Shooting
The California Department of Justice has announced that it will not bring criminal charges against two LAPD officers involved in a fatal shooting. The incident, which took place on July 26, 2021, initially raised concerns when it was discovered that the initial version of events provided by law enforcement was not entirely accurate.
According to a report released by the state Department of Justice, officers responded to a call from an off-duty officer who reported that Samuel Soto, 53, was bleeding from the neck and carrying a blade on a Pico-Union street. The officers shot Soto after arriving at the scene.
However, body-camera footage later released by the department revealed that Soto dropped the knife after being shot and was unarmed when other officers shot him again minutes later. Despite this revelation, the California Attorney General’s office determined that criminal charges were not appropriate in this case. It could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers did not reasonably fear for their safety and the safety of others when they shot Soto.
The investigation conducted by the DOJ included interviews with officers and witnesses, as well as a review of body-camera footage. It revealed that the situation was already dangerous and intensified by the arrival of backup officers and a low-flying police helicopter that hampered communication between the authorities.
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One of the responding backup officers, David Voci, fired the three final shots that hit Soto. In the body-camera footage, one of the first responding officers can be heard saying that Soto was no longer armed with a knife. Soto was instead holding a black object, later identified as a phone, when he took two steps towards Voci, who then shot him.
After the shooting, Voci immediately asked his colleagues if Soto still had the knife, to which they responded that it was elsewhere. Soto was immediately hospitalized but succumbed to his wounds months later.
The initial explanation provided by LAPD Chief Michel Moore did not mention that Soto was unarmed when he was shot by Voci. Moore later clarified that he was providing the information he had at the time.
The DOJ’s report absolved Voci of any wrongdoing in the shooting, stating that the evidence supported the inference that he reasonably, though mistakenly, believed Soto was armed and posed a threat to his life.
Moving forward, the DOJ recommended that the LAPD evaluate whether officers followed departmental policies surrounding Tasers, as most of them lacked fully charged or functioning devices. Additionally, they suggested that the LAPD consider working with the Los Angeles Fire Department to improve dispatch communication.
The LAPD has not yet responded to a request for comment on the matter..
– “No charges LAPD officers fatally shot man in Pico-Union”
– “LAPD officers not charged in fatal shooting Pico-Union”.
