South Park: Jessie Long, 19 [Updated]
August 11, 2009 | 10:29
pm
According to the LAPD, undercover officers from the department's Special Investigation Section witnessed the robbery of a cellphone store and then saw a group of men, including Long, get into a gold Pontiac.
The group was under surveillance because police suspected they were involved in a series of similar robberies in the area, officials said.
The group was under surveillance because police suspected they were involved in a series of similar robberies in the area, officials said.
LAPD Dets. Donald Walthers and Jeff Nolte followed the car away from the scene of the alleged robbery and used a "standard manuever" to block the vehicle, police said.
"The detectives also used their vehicles for cover and identified themselves as police officers, ordering the suspects to surrender," according to an LAPD news release.
Police allege that at that point, Marquis Walker, an 18-year-old black man who was seated in the back of the car, pulled a gun and pointed it in the direction of the detectives. Walthers and Nolte each fired at the car.
"The detectives also used their vehicles for cover and identified themselves as police officers, ordering the suspects to surrender," according to an LAPD news release.
Police allege that at that point, Marquis Walker, an 18-year-old black man who was seated in the back of the car, pulled a gun and pointed it in the direction of the detectives. Walthers and Nolte each fired at the car.
The detectives shot Long, who was in the front passenger's seat, and he died shortly after he was taken to a hospital. They also critically wounded the driver, Quantesa Wiley, a 19-year-old black woman, and wounded Samuel Taylor, an 18-year-old black man who was in the back seat of the car.
Police said they recovered the gun from the scene.
The shooting, as well as the alleged assault with a deadly weapon on police officers, is under investigation by the LAPD Force Investigation Unit. Walther has served on the force for 19 years, and Nolte has served for more than 20 years, authorities said.
Walker, Wiley and Taylor were all arrested on suspicion of robbery/homicide and are being held in lieu of $1-million bail, police said.
The shooting, as well as the alleged assault with a deadly weapon on police officers, is under investigation by the LAPD Force Investigation Unit. Walther has served on the force for 19 years, and Nolte has served for more than 20 years, authorities said.
Walker, Wiley and Taylor were all arrested on suspicion of robbery/homicide and are being held in lieu of $1-million bail, police said.
-- Anthony Pesce
Updated on August 13: The Times' Joel Rubin reports today that Det. Jeff Nolte had been involved in a controversial shooting in 1997. In that incident, Nolte shot a drug suspect, who the city later paid $2 million in damages.
Related: LAPD detective tied to second officer-involved shooting
Updated on August 13: The Times' Joel Rubin reports today that Det. Jeff Nolte had been involved in a controversial shooting in 1997. In that incident, Nolte shot a drug suspect, who the city later paid $2 million in damages.
Related: LAPD detective tied to second officer-involved shooting
Hats off to L.A.P.D.s S.I.S. unit. Thanks for the dangerous work you do on behalf of the law-abiding citizens in Los Angeles.
Posted by: Jim Q. Citizen | August 12, 2009 at 09:52 PM
Police shot everyone in the car EXCEPT the person they claimed pulled a gun and pointed at them (Walker). Clearly, the officers' story needs a script rewrite.
Posted by: junya | August 13, 2009 at 12:23 AM
god bless the police....i used to live on 41st and wall years ago
Posted by: 107gxxve | August 17, 2009 at 06:04 PM
Uh...
nOw, i'M nOt cOndoning the actions that these individuals made prior to being shOt... i think it's a consequence that they should have been prepared for (among others) before they "allegedly" committed the crime. However, i do find it strikingly odd that the detectives shot EVERYBODY BUT the culprit with the pistol. I think there needs to be some more detailed guidelines in place in regards to firing your service pistol. Like, in this instance, do not fire just because your partner fired. It seems very apparent in this case that one of the officers did not know what/ or who the hell he was shooting for... and tHAt's just nUts.
Life is precious.. R.I.P. despite your shortcomings, young man.
Posted by: fabLeZ | August 18, 2009 at 12:11 AM