LAPD shot a suspect armed with a knife after hours of negotiations failed

On March 9, 2024, around 1:00 p.m., Mission Division officers responded to a radio call of a violent male with mental illness at an apartment in the 14000 block of Foothill Boulevard. The suspect of the radio call, later identified as Carlos Zepeda Jr., had forced entry into a family member’s apartment and struck a family member with a wooden stick. The family fled the apartment and called 9-1-1.

When officers arrived, Zepeda threatened to stab officers while brandishing kitchen shears. The officers established a perimeter and contacted Metropolitan Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit. SWAT responded and spent several hours negotiating with Zepeda to resolve the incident without force. A SWAT Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) that includes a psychologist and a Systemwide Mental Health Assessment Team (SMART) were also involved and attempted to resolve the incident without force. Ultimately, SWAT deployed a chemical agent in the apartment, and Zepeda exited. Zepeda was armed with a large kitchen knife with a 9 ½” blade. Despite multiple commands to drop the knife, Zepeda rapidly descended a courtyard staircase toward the officers. Less-lethal projectiles and electronic control devices were used, however Zepeda continued running toward officers, resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting. Zepeda was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel who were at the scene transported Zepeda to a local hospital, where he was admitted for treatment for his gunshot wounds and is listed in critical condition. Zepeda’s family member was not seriously injured and declined medical treatment. No officers or other community members were injured due to this incident. The knife Zepeda was armed with was recovered at the scene.