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.

[Aaron]

Way to "Protect and Serve" this woman, officers! Those guys are doing a great job. I feel so safe.

[JBuck]

The victim was not under police protection. They were just dropping her off at her apartment. You make it sound like they were watching around the clock. Get your facts straight before you make allegations.

[ESFUERZO]

Way to go, deliver the lamb straight to the wolf.

[Eric]

Boys in Blue screw-up yet again. Our "heroes."

[August]

The US Supreme Court has said cops AT NO TIME are required to protect you.

[gregory gross]

The PD really fell down on this job. No doubt a major wrongful death suite is being cooked up now. It will be interesting to see how the new Chief handles this.

[CornerJ]

If someone is determined to kill you, NOBODY can protect you...but yourself. In such a situation, the police are powerless. Learn how to use deadly force (martial arts, gun, etc.) to protect yourself. You don't need anyone else's permission to protect yourself.

[Yabba Dabba]

I would expect this to happen to a white female victim of Mexican Gang warfare...in San Francisco. Really, how can ANYONE be denied concealed carry when the police are absolutely useless?

[Robert]

Maybe a private investigator is the answer. Bad job guys.

[Felix Smeth]

Can we Really count on Police protection ???

[Steve Gibson]

Why didn't the police escort her inside the apartment, search the apartment, secure the windows, and then leave while she was inside?

[JMoore]

The truth is that the police can not protect there own people let alone the public. LAPD Officers do write an outstanding report for the DA's office after the incident occurs. So make sure you get all the facts to the police.

If you want protection in Los Angeles, carry two guns. The police have too just to stay alive.

[Kevin]

Obviously we need to know all the details. It is entirely probable that they escorted her to the apartment so she could gather some things - and the officers not wanting to be any more intrusive were going to wait outside while she got her stuff. They may have even looked in the apartment and saw no one because he was hiding in a closet. Let's not condemn the police until all the facts come out.

[a.t.]

and the L.A.P.D. fails to protect another woman after she pleads for help.... what's next guys?

[Joey]

Sounds like the police didn't ensure the apartment was secure.

[scully]

I bet you these officers were not thrilled to be guarding a woman's apartment and couldn't have cared less. They were probably busy playing with their phones and/or complaining about the assignment.

Punishment to officers:

30 days of unpaid leave, desk job or a write up.

Punishment to family and friends for these idiots' incompetence:

A lifetime without their loved one.

These macho man, all brawn and bark and NO BRAINS or COMPASSION!

[Jim Q. Citizen]

If there ever was a "good" police shooting this would be it.

Hats off to the L.A.P.D. for making quick work of that violent and cowardly beast.

Thoughts and prayers for the poor woman and her family and friends.

[o.O]

The Police did their part. Good job LAPD..
My Heart goes to the Victim's Family and Friends.

[Ed]

Goes to show you that if you want something done, it can be done regardless of the circumstances.

[Jen]

Dude may have already been in the apartment while she was away filing the complaint. Unless they searched her apartment or she indicated there was reason too, they would have never known he was in there. Wait for the facts dude.

[Bill T]

Hmm, domestic violence... maybe the husband/BF/SO has access to the apartment. Maybe we should clear the apartment before she re-enters? He might be waiting inside.

I'm sure they must have thought of that. I mean, its so obvious. I got a neighbor to help me do it once, when I found my front door open.

[Joel]

Way to go LAPD.

Lots of women feel safer, now, to report malefactors...

[chieromancer]

Tony tooks the words right out of my mouth. Or brain.

[Sad Twane]

What is wrong with the LA Times? There was an earlier version of this article which had numerous comments relevant to the article. Now, in this updated version of the article, they are no longer attached. Here is the earlier version with the comments:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/officer-involved-shooting.html

This happens all the time. There have been numerous cases like this of comments disappearing from articles in the past. Why can't the Times' personnel prevent this from happening? Is it sloppiness or laziness or a lack of diligence or follow through on their part? Is it a flaw in the software? Or is it that they just don't care?

Please correct this!

Also, their "search function" doesn't search and is not functional and basically does not work. You can put in a literal and it will not find it, but if you go to the article you can see the word right there.

Please correct this as well!!!

If you unable to get your comments and search functionality to work correctly, GET RID OF THEM!

It is very sad that what was once such a great newspaper has fallen so low.

[Lana]

Terrible that that police did not check out the apartment first. Shame on you LAPD!!

[amicus]

Why does anyone have to wait to die while the person who threatens their life remains free to visit whenever they want>if this is you>buy a gun off the street if u have too....but do not sit like a duck in infested water.

[Anusia]

It is such a betrayal to the woman who was murdered. She actually wanted protection and the police let her down. I hope she did not have kids...

[Great job Wilshire!]

Great job, Wilshire Division! Way to show Southwest Division why you're so much better than they are. Truly, the L.A.P.D.'s elite officers are disproportionately clustered in Wilshire Division. A commendation is in order here.

[Saul]

I smell a wrongful death/ liability lawsuit!

[Eric]

This story is so heartbreaking and also disconcerting.

[Mr. G...]

L.A.P.D. bases their priorities based on income levels...

They use an entire PLATOON of officers to escort celebrities to court, but ONLY assign two obviously DUMB officers to watch this ladies house. WOW!!!

[Lulu]

Sorry to read she was kill by her abuser, the cops are only human, it was believed she was safe at home, if he got in and killed her it was just a terrible event, women die by abusers everyday the police can only do so much. Stop blaming the Police for the actions of criminals.

[JUDE]

Another Steller Job by the LAPD. Just watching "cops" shows you how unintelligent they really are. Lossers!

[JUDE]

Mufon...... unfortuatley most of the time they are.

[Two Cents]

Um...the victim declined to follow through on her original complaint, the officers escorted her home, went in and checked her apartment, and then stayed outside even longer...if the victim refuses to help themselves, and refuses offers of help, reports, shelters, etc., just what more would you people have the police do?

[unbelievable]

Very sad. I wonder how many of the complaining commentators rejected lately any new tax increases for additional police and fire services. The men and women in these occupations do the best they can with the resources available. Just remember it may be you next that needs protection.

[Pete Malloy]

I can't believe some of the ignorant comments here. The two police officers did MORE than what is normally done in this type of case. Yet everyone is mocking the Protect and Serve motto. Cannot stay at everyone's house 24 hours a day once a threat is received. There wouldn't be a cop on the street, ever. In this case the two Police Officers took extra time to wait out front in case the suspect returned. Nobody could have predicted that he would get on the roof and enter from a 2nd story window. Had the officers not been out front, they wouldn't have been able to stop the stabbing, possibly allowing the suspect to flee (probably to Mexico). The police did the best they can. If you want private security then hire private security. If you want to protect yourself, buy a gun. The govt and the police can't do everything for you.

[dogrob1]

LAPD must do better jobs, a female officer should have been with her until a all clear was called, and was the home all cleared.===with law enforcement are we really safe?

[Dennis]

Leave it to the LA Times to try and spin this to sensationalize a sad situation. The headline is just to get the dumb posts they are. No wonder their subscriptions are way down. Why pay money for this junk when you can read it free. The other papers are putting the facts out and that is the suspect was on the ROOFTOP AND CLIMBED INTO A WINDOW. LAPD officers did more for this woman and asked her to go to a shelter or relatives and she said NO. The people slamming LAPD on here are the first ones to call them when they become the victim of a crime. Next time call someone else

[rosehaven]

This is a horrid outcome with both dead! They should have taken her to a 'safe house' while they located her battering spouse.

[Ann]

So many here blame the cops, but no one seems to be blaming the attacker!

[John Q]

Hey,
Sounds like everyone here could have done a better job! Go fill out an application and show the officers how the job is done.

The poor lady was killed by someone who was willing to die for kiling her. No officer or person for this matter would let this happen intentionally...people just use this forum to bash cops, that's un-American.