LAPD Officer Eden Medina shot someone for the first time in his five years of service this past summer.
Police say Medina opened fire July 28 as Omar Gonzalez fought with officers after a car chase ended in a Boyle Heights cul-de-sac. Police have released few details about the shooting, but said at least one witness saw the 36-year-old with a gun before Medina fatally shot him.
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Twelve days later, the Hollenbeck Division gang officer fired his gun again, killing Jesse Romero two weeks shy of his 15th birthday. The August 9th shooting prompted protests and criticism of the LAPD.
Officer Medina was off work six days after his first shooting.
The LAPD had more than 1.5 million contacts between police and the public and of those encounters, 21 ended with deadly gunfire from officers.
What are your thoughts? How long should an officer be away from work after a shooting?
