Man Gains Control of Officer’s Firearm Leading to an Officer Involved Shooting

Los Angeles:  During a struggle with Los Angeles Police Officers, an Arlington Heights man gained control of an officer’s duty weapon, resulting in an officer involved shooting.

On October 15, 2009, Police Officer III Leslie Salinas, 6 years 11 months with the LAPD and her partner Police Officer I Alejandro Pineda, 10 months with the LAPD, were working uniformed patrol in the Wilshire Area of Los Angeles.  At about 5:20 p.m. Officers Salinas and Pineda responded to a radio call initiated by Los Angeles County social service providers.

Officers Salinas and Pineda arrived at a multi-plex residence in the 1500 Block of 4th Avenue and met the Los Angeles County workers.  The workers directed the officers to a location inside one of the apartments where they encountered 27 year old Dwayne West of Arlington Heights.  West struggled with the officers and eventually gained control of one of the officer’s duty pistol.  An officer involved shooting occurred and West was struck by gunfire multiple times.  

The officers requested medical assistance and paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department responded. West was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where he was treated for multiple gunshot wounds.     

Officer Salinas was also treated at an area hospital for injuries sustained during the struggle with West. Dwayne West was arrested and booked for the Attempt Murder of a Police Officer.  Bail has been set at $500,000.  

Detectives from Force LAPD’s Force Investigation Division responded and are investigating the officer-involved shooting and the crime against the officers.

Comments

[CITIZEN]

Not the same as what the family is saying. The police were called two the mother who son was flipping out. They had no righ to go into the home without the mother's permission. Once again over reaction. When is the L.A.P.D. going to learn how to deal with sick people without beating or shooting them. I hope the family sues the
city and the two cops.

[Dis and Dat]

From the sound of it, Officer Salinas, the female training officer, had her gun taken by the suspect. It sounds like her partner, the probationer, took care of business by shooting the suspect. And it seems like Salinas fought with the suspect over her weapon, resulting in her sustaining some injuries.

Good job on the part of both officers, especially the probationer. Although Salinas lost control of her weapon, she did not allow the suspect to shoot her or her partner. And due to her partner's quick actions, the suspect was neutralized and taken into custody. Too bad us taxpayers will have to pay for the pending court case and possible lawsuit. He should have ended up wearing a toe tag. That would have saved us a lot of money.

[lapd7]

Once again wrong info, the P-I got his gun taken away as he was fighting with the suspect. Leslie is a good cop and the P-I reacted properly. I wish people would keep thier mouths shut unless you where there. And the call was generated due to a 5150. Maybe is people would get all the facts before they posted stuff on a blog they would have more time to mind thier own business.

[lapd7]

Dis and Dat,

You assume that the female Officer is the one that got her gun taken away? Ahhhhhh, no. It wasnt, not sure if your on the job or not. Im gonna go out on a limb and say NO. Leslie is in awsome shape and could hold her own. This situation is like the old saying " Sh** happens." But it wasnt the female who had her gun taken away, I would ride in a black and white with her anyday of the week and twice on Sundays. They both did thier job and faught thier way home, sure lessions will be learned. Until you get in an OIS KEEP UR MOUTH SHUT!!!!!

[CITIZEN]

The family is telling a whole different story. Like the cops over reacted and rushed in when there was no need. Sad that this is the way sick people are treated. The man was mentaly ill and the whole situatuion should have been handled differently.

[Dis and Dat]

To lapd7, your reply was much more hostile than necessary. I did not put either officers down, as a matter of fact, I commended them for doing a great job under those stressful circumstances.

Because the post said that Salinas sustained injuries from a struggle with the suspect, I assumed that she was holding on to her gun and fighting at the same time. I don't know either officers and wasn't there, so it was not my intention to Monday-morning quarterback.

And lastly, you are dead wrong on both counts. I am a female officer and YES, I have been involved in an OIS with hits. I don't need to go into details but I ended up neutralizing the threat and took care of business.

So save your "hating" for someone else.

[Ed O'Shea]

I am glad that Officers Salinas and Pineda are ok. Officer Salinas kept her partner, herself and most likely the suspects family from being killed. She is a Hero, simple as that. And the people of Los Angeles are lucky to have Officers like her out there protecting it. Clearly she has a great physical fitness program that she follows and that, as well as her winning combat mindset, played a major role in the outcome of their survivability.
Also it didn't appear to me that Dis and Dat was being malicious or overly presumptive in her post. The wording of the story pointed me in the same direction, until I read the blog entries. lapd7.....thanks for clarifying.
CITIZEN, your obtuse blather never ceases to amaze me. Legally you are factually incorrect in your assessment. Do a little fact checking before you opine? It will keep you from verifying to the rest of us that you possess a single digit IQ.
Again, I'm glad the Officers are ok, and made it home at the end of a long shift.

Stay Safe!

[CITIZEN]

Ed, I did check read the article in the Daily Breeze talk to the people in the neighood. With your single digit IQ.

[BERTO]

First off I would like to say that Ofcr Salinas and her boot did a great job. I know Her personally and she is a great person as well as a great copper. No matter what the public hears, they will never understand what we do...they dont have any knowledge of our use of force policy..They dont know that this "Suspect" would have killed Salinas if he could've. I would ask CITIZEN..Would you go home and explain to the officers families that their loved ones died in the line of duty, all because some guy with mental problems decided he didnt want to take his meds and instead took an officers life. Our job isn't pretty, its not for the faint of heart. Our job is difficult enough, we dont need the public Monday morning quartebacking tactical situations. Im glad the coppers are ok, I dont have hate in my heart for anyone, but I hope this dude realizes how close to dying he came. Oh, and CITIZEN..they will sue..and they will get nothing! trust me Iv'e been sued twice..the total settelments for both lawsuits..ZERO! STAY HARD BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

[Eric]

citizen,
I hope you never have to call any police agency for help. You are just like a Monday Morning Sports commentator critizing on a subject matter (police work) you have no knowledge,experience, or expertise on. You have no clue what its like to wear any uniform in service to your country ie military, police, or fire.

Why don't you blog on the ACLU blog this blog is for cops. I wish you could experience a fight these Officers had to face "The fight for survival." But spoon fed brats who don't have the guts to serve never will understand.

As for the Officers great job, and be safe. Glad your ok, safe, and made it home to your families that night.

[Concerned blonde]

The igornance of the first comment is unbelievable to me. This suspect was a 5150 and the police officers were called there by a doctor to bring him to a hospital. After failed attempts of pepper spray, a tazer, a baton, and a choke hold, they were left with no option but to shoot this man. FYI, his major assault was upon the female officer attempting to murder her when the male officer tried to help her resulting in a gun stolen. Thank god both of these officers are okay. Due to ignorant citizens who in turn, create ridiculous restrictions on police officers, they may have easily been killed during this assult .This man deserves EVERYTHING that happened to him and more...

[JC]

A 5150, a drunk, or just a pissed-off man or woman with a gun are all a serious danger to the officers on scene. They can all kill or main. For people to think that someone armed can always be talked into surrendering peacefully is severely naive. Officers do not operate on a Hollywood set, where the Director can yell "cut" when something goes wrong. The decisions we(officers) have to make in an instant are long-lasting with sometimes severe and deadly consequences. Simply said, better them than me. Dropping the hammer on someone is not an easy thing to do, despite what the LAPD naysayers believe. The bottom-line is that the protection of society and it's laws can sometimes be ugly. St Thomas Aquinas said it best "Law Enforcement without the force is Impotant".

[CITIZEN]

Talk to the mother. She tells a whole different story. Eric and Blonde get over yourselfs.

[mistaken]

Sorry Eric, I didn't realize that this blog is for "cops only!" I thought my tax dollars go towards maintaining this blog, but I'm just a lowly LA city resident. Since I'm not a cop, I won't blog here anymore but will leave you with some words of wisdom Eric; a well rounded perspective makes for a better person and police officer!

[KENDRA CARTER]

WHOA! DWAYNE WEST IS MY 1ST COUSIN. IT AMAZES ME HOW MANY PEOPLE ON HERE ARE TALKING MESS ABOUT A HUMAN BEING. I HOLD A MASTER'S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK. I WAS A PSYCHIATRIC INTERN AT HARBOR UCLA AND I SAW ON MANY OCCASIONS MENTALLY ILL INDIVIDUALS BEING BROUGHT IN SHACKLE, HAND CUFFS, WHAT EVER COULD HOLD THEM DOWN TO GET THEM SAFETLY INTO THE HOSPITAL FOR THE TREATMENT THEY NEED. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT HIM GETTING SHOT DIDN'T HAVE TO BE AN OPTION. FIRST OFF THE OFFICER THAT HAS ONLY BEEN ON THE SEEN FOR 10 MONTHS SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ON A CALL LIKE THIS. SENDING FEMALE OFFICERS TO A HOUSE OF A PARNOID SCHIZOPHRENIC MALE WASN'T A GOOD CALL. I'M A FEMALE AND I'M NOT AS STRONG AS A MAN AND I KNOW THEY ARE NOT EITHER. I ONLY HOPE YOU GUYS HAVE PROOF THAT THESE OFFICERS HAS CIS TRAINING. FOR THE ONE WHO SAID MY COUSIN SHOULD HAVE HAD A TOE TAG GUESS WHAT "WATCH YOUR MOUTH" WHEN YOU WISH BAD FOR OTHERS IT COMES BACK TO YOU. MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE NEVER WISHED THAT FOR THE OFFICERS. YOU GUYS ARE SUPPOSE TO PROTECT AND SERVED BUT INSTEAD YOU ALMOST KILLED SOMEONE WHO WASN'T HIMSELF/ CRIMINALLY INSANE. I WANT TO SEE HOW YOU WILL CHARGE HIM WITH A CRIME. I KNOW FOR A FACT POLICE OFFICERS HAVE NO SYMPATHY FOR THE MENTALLY ILL. THEY TREAT THEM LIKE EVERYDAY CRIMINALS. I WORKED FOR 5 YEARS AS A CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALIST SO I KNOW HOW YOU CAN DE-ESCALATE SITUATION LIKE THIS AND I HAVE BEEN IN TRAINING WITH POLICE OFFICERS. SORRY TO SAY THIS BUT IT'S SAD THAT ALL YOU GUYS ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THAT THE OFFICERS DIDN'T DIE. MY COUSIN WOULD HAVE NEVER SHOOT ANYONE HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO USE A GUN AND I THOUGHT THE SAFETY IS ON ON THE GUN ANYWAY YOU CAN'T JUST SHOOT IT. LIKE I SAID WHAT HAPPENED WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPENED. I'M NOT DONE I WILL BLOG AGAIN. THIS IS VERY UPSETTING TO READ. IMAGINE IF THIS WAS YOUR FAMILY MEMBER.

[CITIZEN]

The one thing you can't do is to shut me up. You can't stand there and tell that's enough be quite don;t another word or I will arrest you disorderly conductYou can't do it. Ha ha,so,Eric,berto,eddie, dis and dat get over it.

[CITIZEN]

Miss Carter,
I agree with 100%. These cops hate me because I call them on things and say what they don't want to here. All I said was family is telling a whole different story and the went nuts. They are right and anyones who says different is wrong. Like I said, the FAMILY IS TELLING A DIFFERENT STORY!!

[Jack]

Well ms. carter, just a short response to your post. You don't have to know how to operate a gun to make it work. Using words like "I thought you had a safety on the gun" isn't going to get you anywhere. If you would like me to take my chances with maybe this guy who has a gun doesn't know how to use it, let me know. Then if I did get shot you could notify my family and say oh he didn't mean to do it. Bottom line, first priority is me and my partner get home safe after work, nothing else takes priority over that.

[CITIZEN]

You should not have to shoot people who are sick. I guess people like Jack believe when all else fails just shoot him.I'm sure the mother would never have allowed any social worker or cop in her house if she knew how this ended.

[Ed O'Shea]

I don't hate you "CITIZEN", I pity you for you having to go through life so angry, ignorant and arrogant. It must be very burdensome to have to go through life with such a negative view about everything. You are clearly mentally challenged. And, I am serious when I say, you really need to go talk to a professional. Get help my friend.

Mrs. Carter.... I feel horrible for, you and your family. But I feel even more compassion for the Officers that were forced to use deadly force on your family member. Perhaps you should stop pointing the finger at the police and use that self admitted, VAST Mental Evaluation Experience in assisting your own family member. Seems to me that the only failures here came from the family in not getting Mr.West the proper help he needed. So take a couple deep breathes and refocus your energy where it belongs.

I can assure you that we Officers get a lot of training with regard to mentally challenged people, and the LAPD has gone to great lengths to continue to educate us Officers and improve our knowledge on this issue. And that's a fact. You should just be thankful that Mr. West is still alive and get him the help he deserves. I hope you will not be the typical opportunists and attempt a money grab from the citizens of the City.

Again, you assume that the comments here about the "toe tag" are those of an Officer, and there are no facts to support that. Look at, CITIZEN," he comes on here and blabbers incoherently all the time, and he's not an Officer. I challenge you to put your experience where your mouth is and help out your family member instead of coming on here and throwing stones.
The safety of the entire community is our first priority, and if your family member forces the officers to use, deadly force, I can speak from experience and tell you that he left them ZERO other choices.
Take the higher road Mrs. Carter and get Mr. West the help that he needs.

PS... "mistaken", yes this blog is for everyone, but it is not paid for with your tax money. The money comes from other 501c recourses. So, your welcome for the clarification, and forum.

[Curtis Lemanski]

First of all, Ms. Carter, if you are highly trained and educated as you claim I think your spelling and grammar would be a little better. Also, I never knew being insane was criminal. That being said, I agree with you on some points.

I, and most other police officers, will agree that your cousin is not a criminal. He has certain mental issues that may make him behave like one. For example, he may vandalize, threaten others or fight with cops. He is not doing that because he is evil or "bad"; he just doesn't know any better.

Why someone behaves a certain way is, at the time of the contact, irrelevant. An officer must deal with that person's actions regardless if he is behaving that way because he is insane, drunk, had a bad childhood, etc. Officers DO receive training on dealing with the mentally ill, and this press release leaves much to the imagination. I would suspect that the officers did try to verbally de-escalate the situation before things went sideways. We don't know because the press release doesn't tell us. Nor does it tell us exactly what your cousin did to Officer Salinas BEFORE he got control of the other officer's gun. Nor does it tell us whether the other officer's gun had been drawn when your cousin got control of it.

Officers should be careful about what they post here. I agree. Friends and family of the involved parties read this.

But to automatically assume the officers over-reacted is absurd. Most of your post is. You think we can be so surgical about who we send to calls? If we waited to send two 6'5 male officers to the scene, your cousin may have hurt the people that felt compelled to call the police in the first place, and you may STILL be waiting for service. Ridiculous.

[KENDRA CARTER]

MY COUSIN WILL PROBABLY NEVER WALK AGAIN. IF THEY HAD TO SHOOT MAYBE THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE SO HE WOULDN'T BE PARALYZED. I'VE ALWAYS HELP OUT MY COUSIN. HE'S EVEN BEEN TAKEN TO THE URGENT CARE WHERE I USE TO WORK AS A CIS. I HAVE PROVIDED SEVERAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO MY FAMILY ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS AS WELL AS RESOURCES FOR HELP THROUGH SEVERAL PROGRAMS GEARED TOWARDS HELPING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IMPROVE THEIR LIVES. GETTING ANY MONEY IS NOT EVEN AN ISSUE HERE SO YOU SHOULD TAKE THAT OUT YOUR MIND. IT'S ASHAME THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO BE SO RUDE BUT I SEE WHY PEOPLE WHO ARE COPS CAN DO SO RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. SOME OF THEM ARE IGNORANT AND RUDE AND IT IS A TESTAMENT TO THEIR EDUCATION. AS FAR AS MY GRAMMER IS CONCERN, MAYBE YOU SHOULD READ YOUR BLOG AGAIN. I'M VERY EDUCATED AND EVEN THE PEOPLE WITH THE HIGHEST EDUCATION MISPELLED WORDS HERE AND THERE. SO EASE OFF. WE ARE ALL HUMANS AND NO ONE DESERVE TO BE TREATED AND TALKED TO LIKE THEY ARE ANIMALS. COPS SEEM TO PROTECT ANIMALS MORE THAN THEY DO HUMANS.

[CITIZEN]

At one time these cops called themselves Warriors!! What does that tell you about them.

[Jet]

Ms. Carter,
I too have a step cousin who is mental. I have seen him struggle and succeed and fall again and again. After dealing with him since I was two years old when my father married into his family I know firmly believe that mental illness is like a light that can be turned on and off. When he is in the middle of a struggle/fight he's very aware of what he is doing. On at least 100 occasions as soon as other male relatives stepped up to hold him down, he stops his actions and rolls into a fetal position and starts chanting to himself sorry I couldn't help myself. I also worked at the Norwalk Metro State Hospital and often saw the same out of control actions and as soon as the police arrived they were fine. Your anger at the situation for someone who was not there seems very misplaced especially for someone in the mental health field. You above anyone else should have some understanding of just how out of control a person can be and what they are capable of when in a fit. Your cousing might be the most passive human alive while in control of himself but when out of control someone with mental health issues is capable of killing and hurting people and not thinking twice about it. Too bad you have not relied on your years of training to understand both sides of this mental health issue. Having worked with people with mental health issues on a daily basis it is not easy, for the general public and yes even officers to have to deal with them on a way more limited amount of time then you and or I. I am suprised by your strong reaction to this situation and your lack of understanding and your mode of attack.