HOLLYWOOD—The Los Angeles Police Department Officer involved in a shooting that left a man dead has been identified. The officer involved in the July 27 shooting that transpired in the 1700 block of Whitley Avenue has been identified as Police Officer II Edward Agdeppa, Serial No. 41000. The incident occurred at around 11:00 a.m., after Hollywood Area officers responded to a radio call of a “man with a gun.”
After arriving on the scene, officers were told that the suspect, later identified as Jerauld Phillip Hammond, was on the second floor, in the hallway armed with a gun. The officers responded to the second floor and were directed to Hammond’s room. Officers knocked on Hammond’s door and requested that he exit. After approximately 10 minutes, the suspect opened the door, pointed a handgun in the officers direction and an Officer-Involved Shooting occurred. Hammond, who was believed to have been struck by gunfire, closed the door, and barricaded himself inside.
Metropolitan Division SWAT officers were requested and responded to the location. After repeated requests for Hammond to exit his room, SWAT officers subsequently made entry into Hammond’s room and discovered him deceased on the floor. No officers were injured during the incident and three firearms were recovered at scene.
LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. A representative from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and Office of the Inspector General were at scene. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine 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.
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.
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.
