On June 20, 2018, Devonshire Patrol Division uniformed officers responded to an ambulance cutting radio call at a residence in the 20000 block of Sardinia Way in Porter Ranch. The comments of the call indicated that a female victim was outside and had been stabbed by her husband. As the officers arrived, they observed the victim on the ground, surrounded by community members who were providing her with aid. The officers’ attention was then drawn to a male suspect, later identified as Alen Alpanian, who was standing outside the front door of the residence holding a kitchen type knife. The officers ordered Alpanian to drop the knife; however, he walked away from the front door of the residence toward the officers, still holding the large kitchen knife.
The officers continued to give commands to Alpanian to drop the knife, but he failed to comply and began to cross the street toward the officers. The officers deployed two Bean Bag shotguns, followed by two TASER activations, which proved to be ineffective. Alpanian continued to walk toward the officers while holding the knife, which resulted in an Officer-Involved Shooting. Alpanian was struck by gunfire and transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and listed in stable condition.
The female victim was also transported to a local hospital, underwent surgery for her stab wounds and was also listed in critical yet stable condition. No officers were injured during the incident and an 8″ kitchen knife was recovered at scene. Force Investigation Division detectives responded to the scene to handle the administrative and criminal investigations.
The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners and the Office of the Inspector General to determine the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation and whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures. Additionally, representatives from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who responded to the scene will review the subsequent FID investigation; evidence collected and witness statements to determine if the force used by the officers(s) was reasonable.
