South Gate identifies officer who returned fire in March shooting, killing one

The South Gate Police Department has identified the officer who shot and killed a 41-year-old Latino on March 6, after the man allegedly fired a gun at the officer near the intersection of Tweedy Avenue and Burtis Street.

Officer Aaron Sosa is a patrol officer who has been on the South Gate Police Department for two years, said South Gate Police Capt. Jim Teeples. 

Sosa was chasing Osvaldo Torres on the bike path along the Los Angeles River riverbed about 1 a.m. when Torres allegedly turned and fired a handgun at the officer, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Joe Mendoza.

Sosa returned fire, striking Torres in the head, Mendoza said. 

Torres was pronounced dead at the scene. Sosa was not injured. 

Investigators found a handgun at the scene with one expended bullet in the chamber, Mendoza said.

The incident began after Torres allegedly drove through a stop sign, drove away from officers who tried to pull him over, and then crashed his car into a barrier along the riverbed, according to the Sheriff's Department.

As with all shootings involving police officers, the case is being investigated by the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and reviewed by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.