Crucial errors in case of woman stabbed to death while LAPD stood guard

Times reporter Joel Rubin has an article about Flor Medrano, a 30-year-old Latina, who was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend while two LAPD officers were standing watch outside her apartment in 2009. Although the officers initially received praise for trying to save the woman, the department is now examining a series of mistakes that, if prevented, could have saved Medrano's life.

Flor Medrano went to the police for help.

At dusk on a November evening in 2009, Medrano, a 30-year-old housekeeper with an easy smile and a love for Mexican Norteño music, came into the Los Angeles Police Department's Wilshire Division station. She had hardly slept for days. Her estranged, abusive boyfriend was stalking her and threatening to kill her. Medrano was terrified.

Tony Hyong Im, an officer with 12 years on the job, his rookie partner Hugo Fuentes, and a detective, Edward Ruffalo, were assigned to the case. The three spent hours with Medrano at the station, and later Im and Fuentes escorted her back to her mid-Wilshire neighborhood.

Medrano climbed the stairs to her apartment on the second floor and disappeared inside. The officers kept watch from their car across the street, figuring her boyfriend, Daniel Carlon, might show.

Carlon, however, was already in the apartment. Strung out on cocaine and methamphetamine, he attacked Medrano with a foot-long knife, stabbing her repeatedly in the legs and chest. Hearing Medrano's screams, the officers bolted up the stairs. A metal security door and metal bars on the window allowed them no way in.

Peering through a small break in a window shade, Im saw Medrano, her shirt soaked in blood. Carlon was coming at her from behind with the knife raised.

The officer couldn't get a shot at him without likely hitting Medrano. "Police! Drop the knife!" Im shouted. "Drop the knife!"

Carlon hesitated, apparently surprised by the officer's presence. Then, he lunged at Medrano.

Continue reading: LAPD questions a crucial mistake

Photo: Flor Medrano

Credit: California Department of Motor Vehicles