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Samuel Soto

Gender : Male

Age : 53

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 07/26/2021

Location : 1318 South Union Avenue (near Pico Boulevard), Los Angeles

City : Los Angeles

County : Los Angeles

State : California

Agency : Los Angeles Police Department

Officer(s) :Officers Eduardo Martinez & David Voci

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/26/2021, officers from the LAPD responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon (knife) near South Union Avenue and Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles. A bystander (an off-duty officer) reported seeing Mr. Soto bleeding from the neck and holding a knife, and he began walking toward the officers and others while brandishing the blade. The officers ordered him to stop; he did not comply and advanced roughly within five to ten feet while holding the knife, prompting Officer Martinez to fire two shots (which missed), then a third shot that struck Mr. Soto in the abdomen. He was transported to the hospital, underwent surgery, remained hospitalized for months, and died on 11/02/2021 from complications. The state California Department of Justice reviewed the case under AB 1506 and concluded there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against the officers, while also recommending policy and practice improvements for LAPD.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/ois/report/2024_02_Soto_AB1506_Report.pdf
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/california-department-justice-releases-report-officer-involved-shooting-samuel
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-02-09/no-charges-for-lapd-officers-who-fatally-shot-man-in-pico-union