HOLLYWOOD—Authorities from the Los Angeles Police Department shot a man who planned to ambush three males on May 24. Officers from the Hollywood Area were in the vicinity of Cherokee Street, north of Hollywood Boulevard at around 2:10 a.m., according to the LAPD blog website.
Cops were on foot when they spotted the suspect, Tegan James Stephens, 33, from Las Vegas and three males in a parking lot near where the officers were standing. The officers noticed a strange interaction between Stephens and the three males so they continued to monitor the situation. The suspect walked to the rear of a white sport utility vehicle (SUV) that was in the parking lot. He took out a handgun from the rear of the vehicle and began following the three males who were walking away.
This prompted authorities to fire at Stephens. Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics arrived on the scene and transported the suspect to a local hospital where he was listed in stable condition. No officers were injured during the shooting and the handgun in the possession of Stephens was also recovered at the scene. He was booked for 417c Penal Code, which involves Exhibiting a Firearm in the Presence of a Police Officer.
The Force Investigation Division will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer-involved-shooting. The investigation will be examined by The Chief of the Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Departments use-of-force policy which indicates that a police officer’s use-of-force must be objectively reasonable.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will complete a comprehensive review of all the facts of the case for 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.
