Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday identified the suspect fatally shot by an off-duty Beverly Hills police officer in the North Hills area as 25-year-old Tomas Ramirez. The incident occurred around 8:20 p.m. on Thursday, near the Roscoe Boulevard off-ramp of the San Diego (405) Freeway.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the off-duty officer was driving eastbound on Roscoe Boulevard when he observed an altercation between two men. One of the men was armed with a pipe, and the other, later identified as Ramirez, was allegedly carrying a handgun.
The off-duty officer, who has not been named, stopped his vehicle and intervened in the situation, which led to an officer-involved shooting (OIS). Ramirez was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene. The man armed with the pipe fled but was later apprehended by responding officers. His identity and potential charges have not been disclosed.
LAPD Officer Rosario Cervantes stated that West Valley Division patrol officers responded to a report of a shooting in the area and were met by the off-duty officer, who remained on the scene and cooperated with investigators. LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division is leading the investigation.
Sgt. Lynnsey Diamond of the Beverly Hills Police Department confirmed that the LAPD is handling the investigation. No LAPD officers were involved in the shooting, and the name of the off-duty officer has not been released.
LAPD Capt. Brian Wendling, speaking to KCAL9 at the scene, noted that while the investigation is ongoing, off-duty officers sometimes feel compelled to act in life-threatening situations. “If somebody’s life is in jeopardy, you have a duty to stop,” Wendling said.
Roscoe Boulevard from the 405 Freeway to Chase Street remained closed for several hours as officers conducted their investigation.