LAPD probes how woman under police protection was slain with officers nearby

[See update: Slaying suspect broke through back window as police kept watch in front, sources say]

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating how a woman under the department's protection after she filed a domestic abuse report was slain at her Mid-City apartment as officers were outside.

The officers heard her screams, ran into the apartment and saw a man stabbing the woman. They opened fire, fatally wounding the attacker.

According to LAPD sources, the chain of events began Wednesday night when the unidentified woman came to the Wilshire Division to report that she was a victim of domestic abuse.

Officers who specialize in domestic violence talked to the woman and at some point drove her back to her home near Cochran Avenue and Pico Boulevard.

The victim went inside her apartment, and the officers remained outside, according to the sources, who spoke to The Times on condition of anonymity because the case is continuing. It's unclear whether the officers escorted the woman into the apartment and exactly how and when the attacker got inside, LAPD officials said.

Inside, the officers found a man stabbing the woman. The officers began shooting at the man, and he and the woman were taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where they later died.

The man died of gunshot wounds and the woman from stab wounds, said Officer Bruce Borihanh of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Wilshire Division homicide detectives are conducting an investigation into the attack, and the officer-involved shooting is being investigated internally, authorities said.

-- Andrew Blankstein, Baxter Holmes and My-Thuan Tran

Photos: LAPD investigators at the scene of the incident. At right, a woman who identified herself as a friend of the victim weeps while talking on a phone. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

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Comments

[Tony]

Outstanding job by the police

[LAMom]

The police sent this woman to her death while they filled out paper work?? Thank goodness their pensions are safe. Apparently, that is the only safe thing going.

[Mufon]

Let's not wait for the whole story, nor answer questions such as did the victim ask the officers to wait outside, or that the officers had what they felt was reliable information that the suspect was not in the area. Let's just go ahead with a headline inferring the police are incompetent and derelict in their duty.

[LAMom]

The only thing that is safe in this City is a Police Pension.

[Joe Smith]

To what and serve?

[Devils Advocate]

If you are a single woman living in LA, purchase a gun and learn how to use it. In circumstances such as these it is to late, by the time police arrived the damage had been done.

However, take lessons because you don't want to shoot your significant other by accident.

[RA]

To Protect and Serve. Yeah right.

[BLW]

LAPD response? Doh!

This isn't going to convince future domestic abuse victims that the LAPD is going to protect them. They have to protect themselves by packing their own heat.

[donalds]

How many MORE people have to die before STALKING LEGISLATION is increased? This happens over and over, all over the world! Training, resources and services need to be expanded, legislation needs to be increased to help victims of ALL stalking crimes. Domestic, Gang Recruiters, Organized Stalking and Bullies at the Work and School Place. Predators need to be stopped BEFORE THEY STRIKE. Help change legislation. Call or write your representatives!

[Anonymous]

I don't expect it to ever happen in this socialist state, but this is why the good citizens of California should be allowed to carry a concealed weapon. Criminals will always be willing to break the law to access weapons and victims, while people who only want to responsibly defend themselves are hamstrung by the law (and, in this case, the ineffectiveness of those who enforce it). Though CA law does allow CCW, permits are rarely granted. I can't think of a better illustration of police inability to defend YOUR life than is offered by this sad story.

[whosfault]

wow, that sucks...and unfortunate turn of events but I don't believe the police are fully responsible for this woman's death.

[Ed C.]

Real epic fail.

[carlsbadcrawler]

I'm guessing they should have checked the apartment before she went in. He was hiding in a closet, or something. No doubt he had a key.

[Ajdx4]

Where is Chief Bratton when we need him? I hope this is not a sign of things to come with our new Chief.

[Allen Braun]

Oh hell. Those cops must feel horrible. And they will be buried alive by the press, the department and her family.

[ricardo]

job well done L.A.P.D why dosent this surprise me at all i hope shes on gods hands my prayers to the family

[j-Dub]

They probably dropped her off and stood outside making plans to meet at Winchell's Donuts

[Mark]

I'm sorry to hear about the deaths, but somewhat shocked/amazed to hear that the LAPD is offering continuing protection of domestic abuse victims. Was this some sort of special case? If they do this to everyone it would cost a fortune. They could relocate them somewhere where they can't be tracked down, instruct them on things like not contacting old friends in such a way that it gives clues to their location, and then at that point leave them to their own means, rather than paying salaries for police to act as bodyguards.

[lee mary]

Wow! This is horrible. Leave it to the LAPD to protect you.

I feel bad for her parents knowing their daughter died in such pain and so tragically.

[Female in LA]

Gang violence in Los Angeles is clearly an issue, but violence against women - especially the amount that goes unreported - is the ugliest secret epidemic in Los Angeles.

When are people, and women especially, going to wake up and take real control of their lives and positions as equals in society?

[able baker]

oops

[Ronald S. Clark]

Great job, LAPD - not!

[Max]

The only good cop is a dead cop.

[c/o]

I haven't read the report but, I believe the police acted stupidly. ~ Obama.

[Bill]

Someone did not take this lady's complaint very seriously.
Terribly sad.
Too much complacency by public servants everywhere. Crims getting away with all sorts of disgusting stuff.