Domestic disturbance call ends in tragedy as suspect approaches officers with a knife

On June 15, 2024, at around 12:50 a.m., Mission Patrol Division officers responded to a radio call of an “Assault with a Deadly Weapon,” suspect there now armed with a knife, at an apartment in the 9400 block of Van Nuys Boulevard. According to the comments of the call, the suspect later identified as 23-year-old Joanna Lua, was attempting to assault family members with a knife and blocking the victims attempts to leave the apartment.

When officers arrived at the location they staged on the 2nd floor landing outside the apartment’s front door. For several minutes, officers attempted to verbalize with the occupants of the apartment to gain entry inside, with negative results. After a short period of time, officers heard what they believed was Lua, screaming and a loud banging sound emanating from inside the apartment.

Officers believed that Lua was attempting to gain access to the victims and the officers forced entry into the front door. Officers encountered Lua advancing toward them, still armed with a knife, officers issued verbal commands to Lua to drop the knife. As Lua continued to advance toward the officers, she began to raise the knife in her hand resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting, simultaneously a TASER was discharged. Lua was struck by gunfire and TASER probes and was taken into custody.

A fire department ambulance responded to the scene and transported Lua to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Notifications to the next of kin were conducted by representatives from the Family Liaison Section.