Hollywood Area Officer Involved Shooting 7/21/18 (NRF046-18)

** Effective January 1, 2024, the involved suspect's booking photos have been blurred out, in compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 994, (amending California Penal Code (PC) Section 13655), which addresses the sharing of booking photos on social media by law enforcement.

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Critical Incident Video Release- NRF046-18

Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that occurred in a Silver Lake neighborhood. The officers involved in the OIS have been identified as Police Officer II Sinlen Tse, Serial No. 40995, and Police Officer II Sarah Winans, Serial No. 42556, Hollywood Patrol Division

On July 21, 2018, around 3:00 p.m., Hollywood Patrol Division Officers Tse and Winans went in vehicle pursuit of an attempt murder suspect. During the pursuit, the suspect, later identified as Gene Atkins, fired a gun at officers.

The vehicle pursuit terminated when Atkin's vehicle struck a utility pole in the 2700 block of Hyperion Avenue. Atkins exited his vehicle and fled on foot towards a local grocery store. As Atkins entered the store, he fired his handgun at the pursuing officers, resulting in an OIS.

Atkins barricaded himself inside the grocery store, taking numerous hostages. Special Weapons and Tactics personnel responded and initiated crisis negotiations. Atkins later submitted to arrest without further incident.

This incident resulted in the death of a grocery store employee. Atkins sustained a gunshot wound to his left forearm, and no officers were injured.

A handgun was recovered from inside the grocery store.

LAPD's specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. In addition, Robbery Homicide Division investigators responded to handle the investigation into Atkins criminal acts. A representative from the Office of the Inspector General responded and monitored the scene investigation.

The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and 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. Additionally, representatives from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office who responded to the scene will review the subsequent FID investigation; evidence collected and witness statements to determine if the force used by the officers(s) was reasonable.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged to call the LAPD at any of the following numbers:
• During business hours at (213) 486-5230;
• During non-business hours or on weekends at (877)-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247);
• Anonymously 24-hours a day to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or by texting "LAPD" and your tip to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S); or
• Online at www.lapdonline.org and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.