Officers Shoot Window-Smashing Home Burglary Suspect In Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA — Officers shot a burglary suspect when he refused to put down a metal pole during a break-in at a valley apartment complex Tuesday, Los Angeles police say.

Topanga Patrol Division officers responded to multiple calls of a burglary in progress at an apartment complex in the 20300 block of Saticoy Street just after 2 a.m., police said.

Based on the calls to police, a man — later identified as 39-year-old Edgar Ramirez — “was breaking windows, had entered an apartment and was armed with a bat,” police said.

When officers arrived at the second floor of the complex, they found Ramirez leaving with a metal pole and “gave Ramirez multiple commands to drop the pole,” police said.

Ramirez did not drop the pole, and an officer deployed a TASER; however, it was ineffective, according to police.

“Ramirez advanced towards (officers) when an Officer-Involved Shooting occurred,” according to police.

Though Ramirez was hit by gunfire, police said, “he did not immediately submit to arrest.”

After bringing him to the ground, officers took him into custody, police said.

Ramirez was taken to a hospital, where he was treated, then later released, police said.

Two community members were hurt when they came into contact with Ramirez during the robbery, according to police. One was taken to a hospital for a cut to his hand and later released, police said. The second person was left with a minor injury to his lower leg.

The metal pole was booked as evidence, police said.

Ramirez was booked into jail Tuesday and was scheduled to appear in court Friday, jail records show.