Oscar Morales, 21

June 1, 2010, 9:31 a.m.

Oscar Morales, a 21-year-old Latino, was shot and killed by Los Angeles police Thursday, May 27, in the 8300 block of Burnet Avenue in North Hills, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Officers responded to "a call for service involving a man with a history of suicide threats" at a house about 12:30 p.m., according to an LAPD news release.

When officers arrived, family members directed them to Morales, who was in the living room, police said.

The officers approached Morales, who they described as initially cooperative. According to the LAPD account, he then suddenly grabbed a fireplace poker and came at them, allegedly refusing to drop the poker. At that point, Officer Davis Giron, a 10-year LAPD veteran, shot Morales several times, according to an LAPD news release about the shooting.

Morales sustained several gunshot wounds and was taken to a hospital, where he died at 4:10 p.m., according to coroner’s records.

The LAPD Force Investigation Division responded to the shooting location and are conducting an inquiry into the officer-involved shooting.

-- Sarah Ardalani

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24 reader comments

Wow, listen to all this garbage! The police are called to the scene, and when they get there, family members direct the police over to Mr. Morales. Mr. Morales is initially cooperative and then suddenly grabs a fireplace poker WHICH IS DEFINITELY A LETHAL WEAPON YOU FOOLS and came at the police, refusing to put this LETHAL WEAPON down. What do you expect these cops to do? What would you do in the perhaps two or three seconds you have to save your own life from this menacing attack? You gonna try and grab it from his hands? Really? Shoot at his kneecaps? Come on. In a situation like that, it's life and death for everyone involved and you people are entirely unrealistic in your condemnation of the police actions here. It is a very sad incident, but this kind of situation isn't some reality show or game. There are mere seconds to stop the menacing attack and I'm glad at least it was the aggressor who was killed and not the first responders doing their sworn duties. Come on people.

— Citizenjohn July 21, 2010 at 6:53 a.m.

I went to high school with Oscar.... and he did not use drugs ... he was a really nice guy, and great friend ... what i dont understand is if your a cop and get a call for a guy that has suicide thoughts... as a cop you should be thinking okay ... this guy wants to die lets try to not go down that route... i can understand if they were attacked ... but i know that he would never do such a thing ... notice all reports say that cops reported that Oscar attacked them ... no other witnesses ... funny right ... becuz you hear it from a cop and that just makes it okay ... like they cant lie ... whatever ... all i know is they didnt have to shoot ... they could have pepper sprayed, tased, or even hit him with there baton ... no they shoot, and in the chest ... even better ... now the family has to live there knowning there loved one died in that house ... thanks LAPD .. next time we need you ... lets not call ... cuz apparently anyone can be killed for no reason now a days ...

— SMOK3Y July 20, 2010 at 12:27 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Oscar Morales, 21

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24 reader comments