Sergio Alexander Navas, 36

March 11, 2015

Sergio Alexander Navas, a 36-year-old Latino, died March 5 after being shot by police in Burbank, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Navas, of North Hollywood, led police on a chase and, while behind the wheel of a stolen car, was shot by an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department before 2 a.m., police said.

Two LAPD officers were on patrol in a marked SUV and noticed the driver of a gold Mercury Sable with temporary paper license plates driving erratically on Magnolia Boulevard near Riverton Avenue in North Hollywood, police said. Police didn’t learn the car was stolen until later.

The officers attempted to make a traffic stop, but Navas sped away, police said, soon crossing the city boundary into Burbank. After a chase of about six minutes, Navas turned onto National Avenue, a short residential street that ends in a cul-de-sac.

When Navas' car was alongside the police SUV, the officer riding in the SUV's passenger seat fired multiple shots at Navas, police said. After being shot, Navas left the car and attempted to escape, but he was caught and handcuffed on the sidewalk, where he died.

-- Los Angeles Times Staff

UPDATE

June 1, 2015: The LAPD has identified the officer involved in the shooting as Officer Brian Van Gorden.

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20 reader comments

Wendy,
What is wrong with country is people's inability to take responsibility for their actions up to and including Navas. He was driving stolen car, he took off when the light on the patrol car went on. He had responsibility for the out come of that night. He wasn't an innocent sitting behind that wheel and he certainly wasn't no innocent when he decided to take off. It doesn't really matter if the chase was short or long, reckless or safe. He was a 36 year old man in full control of his choices. But not to worry, he left his family with the ability to sue the city and get money! So in the end everything worked out just fine. He did more for his family with his last actions than he ever did for them in all his 36 years of life. So it all worked out fine for all the parties involved in this case.

— Janet March 7, 2016 at 3:33 p.m.

SO...reality is that now police are saying that another officer with more experience and knowledge would have not shot Sergio. (Chief Beck) At first the police said Sergio rammed the car towards the police officers patrol car. They also immediately denied it. All of you people saying negative things and stereotyping is what is wrong with this country. He truly was a loving, kind, funny guy. I miss him so, I think of him a lot. His mom and dad are also the most loving people in this world, they raised him well. There was no need for him to get shot or in fact killed. The officer in question should lose his job. You carry a badge and a gun not a right to kill. Sergio was a good friend, never did I see him act out. We all make mistakes, people... think of the things you have done in your past.
Maybe you are still alive cause you didn't meet an officer with a trigger happy finger. RIP SERGIO MISS YOU ALWAYS

— Wendy March 4, 2016 at 10:12 a.m.

As I listened to the mass before the burial and looked around I realized I had never seen so many people hurt and crying at a funeral.. I know its a funeral and people are SUPPOSE to be sad but in the many funerals I have attended there is always the samething gossip and criticism.. But Sergios funeral was different I saw men, children and women crying with true pain.. My heart was broken as I heard and saw his mother cry and his children suffering for the loss of thier father. As i walked out and passed thru the many people who attended I only heard positive things "Sergio was a good person", " Sergio brightened everyones day with his smile!', 'Sergio was a sweet and loving person!" and then I heard his father say with great pain in his words " I lost my only son ...". I stopped to think what was going thru the police officers head, why so much rage? why did he feel the need to shoot so many times when Sergio was unarmed?? Why shoot to kill?? I have never Questioned the authority of a police officer but now I do. I feel as if every week there is something new on the news regarding the abuse of authority of a police officer. I wonder can we still trust them??? Are we still safe?? Are our children still safe?? I Sincerly hope that that Sergios Family can find peace and I hope that in this case at the end of this horrible loss his family finds justice.. As a community these are the times when we have to unite to have our voices heard without the need for violence...

— unknown March 24, 2015 at 11:43 a.m.

Sergio Navas was my dear friend for many years. I think it is extremely sad that the LAPD felt he was such a threat that he had to be shot. Sergio was a father a son and a good friend he didn't deserve to go the way he did. We will grieve his loss the rest of our lives due to a power trip of an officer who thinks its okay because he holds a badge and a gun. That's just wrong in every way and now they want to portray him as a gang member and a drug dealer using his criminal record against him which shouldn't define who he was. He always smiled, had a big heart, he loved his family, and friends, as we all loved him. His presence his generousity and mostly his positive attitude. I feel that race and descriptions of suspects are important so the public knows who to be on the lookout for so they can steer clear of danger.

— Sandy osuna March 12, 2015 at 2:48 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Sergio Alexander Navas, 36

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20 reader comments