Drugged Out Homeless Man Gets Shot by LAPD

The officer involved in the below incident has been identified as Police Officer I Albert Romo, Serial No. 45335, assigned to Central Division.

June 25, 2023

*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 (OIS) that occurred in Central Division.

On June 25, 2023, around 0336 hours, Central Division patrol officers, received a radio call of an Assault with a Deadly Weapon suspect there now at the lobby of the Miyako Hotel Los Angeles, located at 300 block of East 1st Street. The suspect was reported to be armed with a knife threatening staff and under the influence of an unknown narcotic. When officers arrived, they saw the suspect, later identified as Douglas Hill, holding a cell phone in the lobby of the hotel. Officers gave Hill numerous verbal commands, which were ignored, and requested a back-up. Hill suddenly pulled a knife from the front pocket of his sweater. The officers continued to verbalize and gave Hill multiple commands to drop the knife.

Hill ignored the commands and advanced at one of the officers, resulting in an OIS. Hill was struck by gunfire. The Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and transported Hill to a local hospital. Hill is listed in stable condition. A knife was recovered at scene. No officers or other citizens were injured during this incident.

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.