Southwest Area OIS 6/23/22 (NRF028-22)

** Effective January 1, 2024, the involved suspect's booking photos have been blurred out, in compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 994, (amending California Penal Code (PC) Section 13655), which addresses the sharing of booking photos on social media by law enforcement.

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*The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed*
Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) in Southwest Division.

On June 23, 2022, around 12:30 a.m., Southwest patrol officers saw a gray sedan traveling above the posted speed limit. They conducted a traffic stop at Crenshaw Boulevard and 39th Street. The vehicle’s driver, and sole occupant, did not follow the officers’ directions and sped away from the stop. The officers continued to look for the vehicle and, after approximately two minutes, found it parked in the driveway of a residence in the 3700 block of Exposition Boulevard. As the officers approached the stopped vehicle, the driver, later identified as 28-year-old Joshua Hatfield, quickly exited the vehicle, and turned toward the officers. The officers observed Hatfield with a gun in his hand, at which time an OIS occurred. Hatfield ran to the rear of the residence. The officers requested additional resources and established a perimeter. After around 30 minutes, Hatfield exited the residence and surrendered to officers.

Hatfield was arrested and booked for Assault (ADW or Assault) on a Peace Officer with a Firearm.

Hatfield was not struck by gunfire, and no officers were injured during the incident. A search of the area was conducted, but, investigators did not locate a firearm.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene, interviewed witnesses, and supervised the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division.

The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, 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, 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 officer was reasonable.