Suspect with Stolen Car and Gun Gets Blasted by LAPD

Officer-Involved Shooting in Newton Division NRF002-24dm
January 21, 2024

January 23, 2024, NRF002-24ti

UPDATE

The officers in the below incident have been identified as Police Officer II Martin Eudave, Serial No. 44006, assigned to Newton Division, Police Officer III Dara Choub, Serial No. 38621 and Police Officer I Jesus Morales, Serial No. 45415 assigned to Southwest Division.

*The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed*

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting that occurred in Newton Division.

On January 19, 2024, at 12:14 p.m., Olympic Division uniformed patrol officers conducted a want/warrant check on a white Dodge pickup truck. The inquiry revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen earlier that day and that the victim had left a firearm inside the truck. Once officers obtained an additional unit, and an Air Unit was overhead, they attempted to conduct a High-Risk stop on the vehicle. The driver, later identified as 32-year-old Mario Alvarenga, failed to yield and accelerated away.

Officers initiated a vehicle pursuit which was eventually taken over by Southwest Division uniformed patrol officers. Alvaranga continued into Newton Division and eventually collided with a parked vehicle at 12th Street and Paloma Street. Alvaranga exited the vehicle and ran into an occupied shipping facility, located on the 1100 block of East Pico Boulevard. Officers followed Alvaranga into the open business, and while inside, Alvaranga stopped and faced the officers. Alvaranga removed a handgun from his clothing and racked the slide in front of officers, resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting. Alvaranga was struck by gunfire, fell to the ground, and was taken into custody.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported Alvaranga to a local hospital where he was admitted for gunshot wounds. He is listed in critical, but stable condition. No officers or other community members were injured as a result of this incident.

A Sig Sauer, Model P365ss 9mm handgun, which was registered to the victim, was recovered from the scene and booked as evidence. The firearm was not loaded and its 12 round magazine was empty.

The LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene, interviewed witnesses, and supervised the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division personnel. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Board of Police Commissioners, and the Office of the Inspector General to determine the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation and whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures.