Bodycam Footage Of Shooting That Left Suspect And Hostage Dead (WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT)

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) released graphic body-worn camera footage on Tuesday showing a tragic officer-involved shooting in Van Nuys that resulted in the deaths of both a knife-wielding suspect and an innocent bystander. The video was presented during a press conference led by LAPD Chief Michel Moore and captured the critical moments that unfolded on June 16.

According to Chief Moore, the incident began when LAPD’s Van Nuys Division received a 911 call reporting a stabbing. The suspect, later identified as 32-year-old Guillermo Perez, had allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend with a knife before fleeing the scene. Officers quickly responded and located Perez outside a church on Tyrone Avenue.

When officers arrived, they found Perez armed with a large knife and holding a metal folding chair. Officers immediately issued commands for him to drop the weapon. However, Perez refused to comply. In an attempt to subdue him without lethal force, police fired several bean bag rounds, a less-lethal option used to gain control over armed suspects.

Despite being struck with the bean bag rounds, Perez did not surrender. Instead, he moved away from the officers and suddenly grabbed a woman standing nearby. The woman, identified as 49-year-old Elizabeth Tollison, was an innocent bystander with no connection to the suspect or the earlier stabbing.

What followed was a harrowing few seconds that ended in tragedy. According to Moore, Perez began to slash at Tollison’s throat with the knife, prompting officers to make a split-second decision. In a desperate attempt to stop Perez from killing the hostage, three officers opened fire, discharging a total of 18 rounds.

Perez was struck multiple times and died at the scene. Unfortunately, Tollison was also hit by two rounds during the gunfire. She was transported to a local hospital, but despite efforts to save her life, she later died from her injuries. Chief Moore expressed deep regret over her death, calling it a heartbreaking outcome in an already traumatic event.

“This was a tense situation that unfolded very quickly,” Moore said at the press conference. “It’s every officer’s worst nightmare. The life of the hostage is paramount, and protecting that individual from the threat of the assailant must be weighed carefully against the risk of causing harm.”

Moore acknowledged the difficulty of making life-or-death decisions in rapidly evolving situations, but he also stated that a full investigation is underway to determine whether the officers acted according to department policy and training. He emphasized that there is still significant work to be done before conclusions can be drawn.

The LAPD has not had an incident where a bystander or hostage was unintentionally killed by police gunfire in over a decade. However, Moore noted that this incident marks the second such occurrence in just six weeks. The other took place at a Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake, where a store manager was accidentally shot and killed during a standoff with an armed suspect.

Guillermo Perez had a violent criminal history, authorities revealed. He was a documented gang member with prior arrests for domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon. He had also served time in prison for robbery. Police said his history demonstrated a pattern of violent behavior that ultimately led to the fatal encounter.

As with all officer-involved shootings, the incident is being investigated by the LAPD’s Force Investigation Division. The findings will be reviewed by the department's Use of Force Review Board and the Inspector General’s office. Moore said the department remains committed to transparency and accountability throughout the investigation process.

Tollison’s death has sparked renewed discussion about use-of-force policies, de-escalation training, and the risks civilians face during police confrontations with armed suspects. LAPD has pledged to work closely with community leaders and the public to evaluate the handling of such critical incidents and prevent similar tragedies in the future.