MALIBU—Authorities arrested a suspect in connection to shooting at officers during an attempted kidnapping on July 30. Officers from the Topanga Area Patrol responded to a call they received on the 9100 block of DeSoto Avenue about shots being fired at around 6:30 p.m.

 

According to the Los Angeles Police Department Blog, an off-duty FBI agent noticed an attempted kidnapping in progress by an armed suspect attempting to force a victim into his vehicle. The agent identified himself and the suspect shot at the agent before fleeing in his vehicle with the victim. The suspect released the victim near the Topanga area, but fled authorities on Woodlake Avenue and
Ventura Boulevard. Officers from the California Highway Patrol engaged the suspect and additional shots were fired.

 

The perpetrator fled northbound on the 101 freeway, and LAPD officers spotted the vehicle and a pursuit ensued that ended on the 24200 block of Pacific Coast Highway. The suspect exited his vehicle armed with a handgun. He pointed his gun at the officer’s direction, and a shot was fired by Police Officer II Robert Del Papa, Serial No. 37526. He fled on foot, before being taken into custody and transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries.

 

The name of the suspect has not yet been released to the public. He was booked at the nMetropolitan
Detention Center. No officers were injured during the melee. The investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Office of the Inspector General and the Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s Use-Of-Force policy which indicates that an officer’s use-of-force action must be objectively reasonable.

 

In addition, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

 

Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division at (213) 486-5230. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.