Full Notification

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder of Whittier Police Department Officer Keith Boyer and the attempt murder of Officer Patrick Hazell that occurred on Monday, February 20, 2017 at approximately 8:30 a.m. at Mar Vista Street and Colima Road in Whittier.
 
Investigators have identified the suspect as Michael Christopher Mejia, a 26 year-old Hispanic male.  He is a documented street gang member and resident of Los Angeles.     
 
Suspect Mejia was released from Pelican Bay State Prison on April 19, 2016 and reported to the Probation Department the next day on April 20, 2016.  He was released to probation on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) as required by AB-109 realignment.  AB-109 in California transfers responsibility for supervising certain kinds of felony offenders and state prison parolees from state prisons and state parole agents to county jails and probation officers.
 
Suspect Mejia remains hospitalized for a gunshot wound and has been booked for a flash incarceration (probation hold), 3454 P.C. on February 20, 2017.  Attached is his most recent booking photo.
 
The investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information at this time. 
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP, or “P3 Mobile” for the hearing impaired, on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
 
 
Forwarded By:
Juanita Navarro-Suarez, Deputy
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
Hall of Justice - First floor  
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700

Website LASD HQ: http://www.lasd.org
 

*******1st Update********

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau detectives are continuing to assist Whittier Police Department personnel investigate the circumstances surrounding an Officer-Involved Shooting that occurred at Mar Vista Street and Colima Road, Whittier on Monday February 20, 2017 at approximately 8:30 a.m.
 
Detectives have learned that the suspect rear-ended another car on Colima Road and Mar Vista Street, Whittier.  The suspect exited his car and asked the people from the vehicle he hit to help push his car out of the intersection.  The suspect pushed his car around the corner onto Mar Vista Street. 
 
Two Officers contacted the suspect.  As they were getting him out of his car the suspect produced a handgun and started shooting at the officers.  The officers returned fire and during the exchange both officers and the suspect were shot. 
 
Other officers arrived on scene and took the suspect into custody.  Both officers were transported to the hospital, where one died from the injuries and the other is in stable condition.  The suspect was also transported to the hospital and is in stable condition. 
 
The suspect is a known gang member on parole on early release.  The vehicle he was in was stolen earlier today out of East Los Angeles.  A handgun was recovered at the scene.
 
The investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information available at this time. 
 
 Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP or “P3 Mobile” for the hearing impaired on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Forwarded by:
Kimberly Alexander, Deputy
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
Hall of Justice - First floor  
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700

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"If You See Something, Say Something"

LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” mobile app for FREE or “P3 Mobile” for the hearing impaired, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
 
Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 
 
 
Original Press Release is as Follows:
--------------------------------------------------------

Date: Monday, February 20, 2017

TIME: Approximately 8:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Mar Vista Street and Colima Road, Whittier

SUSPECT:  Male Adult

UNIT: LASD Homicide, Lieutenant Corina
 
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide detectives are responding to Mar Vista Street and Colima Road, Whitter, to assist Whittier Police Department personnel investigate the circumstances surrounding an Officer-Involved Shooting. 

Two Whittier Police Department Officers were struck by gunfire and transported to a local hospital.  Their condition is unknown.

The suspect was struck by gunfire and transported in an unknown condition to a local hospital for treatment.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information available at this time.  

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP, or “P3 Mobile” for the hearing impaired, on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
 
 
Written By:
Juanita Navarro-Suarez, Deputy
Lisa Jansen, Deputy
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
Hall of Justice - First floor  
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700

Website LASD HQ: http://www.lasd.org
Recruitment LASD: http://www.careers.lasd.org 
Follow LASD HQ via Text and Email: http://www.Nixle.com
https://nixle.com/lasd---los-angeles-county-sheriffs-dept-information-bureau-sib/  
Twitter: @LASDHQ http://twitter.com/LASDHQ
Twitter: @LASDtalk https://twitter.com/LASDTalk
Twitter: @LASDvideos https://twitter.com/LASDvideos
Twitter: @LASDespanol https://twitter.com/LASDespanol
Facebook LASD HQ http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
Instagram LASD Photos: http://instagram.com/LASDHQ 
Pinterest LASD Photos : http://pinterest.com/lacountysheriff/
YouTube LASD Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/LACountySheriff/videos?view=0
SNAP LA County: Specific Needs Disaster Voluntary Registryhttp://snap.lacounty.gov/
Alert LA County: Telephone emergency mass notification system
http://www.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla
Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept Information Bureau (SIB)" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.

Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department