Armed Man With Knife Gets Fatally Shot by Los Angeles Police Officers

 

In the early morning hours of December 31, 2018, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Van Nuys Division responded to a distress call that would ultimately end in a fatal officer-involved shooting. At approximately 4:40 a.m., police were dispatched to the 13600 block of Vanowen Street following a 911 call reporting a screaming woman. The nature of the call prompted officers to treat the situation as potentially dangerous upon arrival.

Responding officers proceeded to an apartment that was identified in the dispatch information. As they approached the unit, 18-year-old Rony Parras-Mendez opened the door. According to police reports, he was armed with a large kitchen knife at the time. Officers immediately issued verbal commands instructing him to drop the weapon, but Parras-Mendez did not comply. Instead, he allegedly advanced quickly toward one of the officers while still wielding the knife.

Faced with what they perceived as a direct and immediate threat, one or more officers discharged their firearms. Parras-Mendez was struck by the gunfire. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Before police arrived, Parras-Mendez had reportedly been involved in a violent altercation with another resident of the apartment complex. The male victim, an adult, sustained injuries from the attack and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. He was expected to recover. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the confrontation.

A large kitchen knife, approximately 9 inches in length, was recovered at the scene near Parras-Mendez. Investigators later confirmed that the weapon was collected and logged as evidence.

Following standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, the LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) was called to the scene. Detectives began a comprehensive investigation, including interviewing witnesses, collecting physical and forensic evidence, and reviewing available footage from body-worn cameras and other sources.

Representatives from multiple oversight and investigative bodies were also present at the scene. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division observed the initial investigative process to ensure transparency and adherence to departmental procedures.

The investigation into the shooting is multi-layered. After FID completes its internal investigation, the findings will be reviewed by LAPD Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners. Their role is to evaluate whether the incident was handled appropriately and in line with LAPD’s policies regarding use of deadly force.

In parallel, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent review to determine whether the officers' use of force was legally justified. Prosecutors will examine all evidence, including forensic data, body camera footage, and witness testimony, to assess whether any criminal laws were violated during the encounter.

The case remains under active investigation, and all findings will eventually be made public in accordance with California law governing officer-involved shootings. As of now, authorities have not released the name of the officer or officers involved, which is typical procedure until all interviews and preliminary reviews are completed.

This incident adds to the growing number of officer-involved shootings across the country that have drawn increased scrutiny from both the public and watchdog organizations. However, LAPD has emphasized that their protocol includes a robust and multi-agency review process to ensure all actions taken are in line with department standards and legal expectations.

The family of Rony Parras-Mendez has not yet made a public statement. Meanwhile, community members have expressed concern and called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances that led to the young man’s death.

As details continue to emerge, both the LAPD and oversight agencies have pledged to follow all procedures to determine whether the use of deadly force in this case was warranted under the law and department policy.