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Samuel Soto

Age : 53

Gender : Male

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, Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to reports of a man armed with a knife near 1318 South Union Avenue in the Pico-Union neighborhood. Witnesses reported that Samuel Soto had sustained a serious neck wound and was behaving erratically. An off-duty police officer at the scene rendered first aid to Soto before uniformed officers arrived. According to witnesses and investigators, Soto was bleeding heavily, holding a knife, and appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis.
After officers arrived, they repeatedly ordered Soto to drop the knife. According to the California Department of Justice investigation, Soto walked toward officers while still holding the knife. Officer Eduardo Martinez fired three rounds, striking Soto once in the abdomen. Officers immediately rendered medical aid until paramedics arrived. Soto underwent surgery and remained hospitalized for more than three months before dying from complications of the gunshot wound on 11/02/2021.
Because Soto died from the shooting, the California Department of Justice conducted an independent investigation under Assembly Bill 1506. In February 2024, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that prosecutors found insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Officers Eduardo Martinez or David Voci committed a crime, and no criminal charges were filed.
Although the Department of Justice declined prosecution, its report identified several concerns about the encounter and recommended improvements to LAPD policy and training. Investigators recommended expanding guidance on responding to people experiencing mental health crises, improving tactical communication and coordination, clarifying de-escalation practices, and strengthening training on the use of cover and less-lethal options. The report concluded that these recommendations were intended to reduce the likelihood of similar fatal encounters in the future.

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