Andres Lopez : “LAPD Identifies Officer in Koreatown Shooting”

Authorities in Los Angeles have revealed the identity of the officer involved in the fatal shooting of a man with mental health issues who was reportedly armed with a knife on the outskirts of Koreatown.

The officer in question has been named as Police Officer II Andres Lopez, according to a recent report by the Los Angeles Police Department.

The incident took place just after 11 a.m. on May 2 at an apartment located in the 400 block of South Gramercy Place. LAPD officials initially responded to a call about a “violent male” at the location.

Upon arrival, officers encountered personnel from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health who were trying to take Yong Yang into custody. Yang’s parents had contacted DMH officials due to concerns about his erratic and threatening behaviour.

It was revealed that Yang, who did not reside at the apartment, had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder. He had also reportedly attempted to assault a DMH employee prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

DMH personnel determined that Yang posed a threat to others and had already initiated the process to place him on a 72-hour mental evaluation hold. An ambulance had been dispatched to transport Yang to a nearby hospital.

Despite several attempts to communicate with Yang and persuade him to leave the premises, he refused to comply. Officers eventually gained access to the apartment using a key, and upon entering, they encountered Yang in the living room brandishing a large kitchen knife.

Yang then advanced towards the officers, prompting Officer Lopez to discharge his weapon. The confrontation resulted in Yang being fatally shot at the scene. An 11-inch knife with a six-inch blade was recovered from the location following the incident.

Fortunately, no officers or bystanders sustained any injuries during the altercation.

The LAPD’s Force Investigation Division has taken over the case and is currently conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Conclusion

As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge regarding the events leading up to the tragic shooting. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement officers when dealing with individuals experiencing mental health crises.