Police Shot Man Who Held Girlfriend Hostage At Gunpoint: LAPD

NORTHRIDGE, CA — Police on Monday released details regarding a shooting in Northridge in which authorities say an officer shot a man who was holding his girlfriend at gunpoint and fired a shot at her.

The shooting occurred at around 2 a.m. Sunday in front of a home on the 8900 block of Balcom Avenue, north of Parthenia Street and west of White Oak Avenue in Northridge, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police responded to the scene following a call regarding a fight at the location. The caller said they heard an argument and a woman crying, police said.

When they arrived, officers saw the suspect — later identified as Louis Jordan Cortez — in the home's front yard. He was armed with a handgun and holding a woman hostage. She was later determined to be his girlfriend, the LAPD said.

"The officers gave multiple commands to Cortez to drop the handgun. He failed to comply and continued to struggle with the victim, while still armed with the handgun," police said.

An officer shot at Cortez and "during the incident, Cortez fired one round from his handgun at the victim," police said.

"Cortez was struck by gunfire but did not immediately surrender. Cortez remained in the front yard of the residence until officers negotiated his surrender and he was taken into custody," police said.

Cortez was transported to a local hospital, where he received treatment for a gunshot wound, police said.

When he is cleared for booking, he will be booked in a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, police said.