California DOJ investigates Lathrop police fatal shooting of unarmed person
A reported domestic violence incident in Lathrop on Thursday led to a fatal police shooting of a person who was not armed, according to authorities.
Shortly before 5:30 p.m., the Lathrop Police Department said officers were called to Pamela Court in a neighborhood just east of S. Harlan Road and south of J Street. Police said as officers contacted those who were involved, the shooting took place. Officers provided first aid; the person died after being taken to the hospital, police said. No officers were hurt.
Police did not provide details about what led up to the shooting, how many officers were involved or how many shots were fired.
The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Enrique Lozano of Lathrop.
The department said it requested the California Department of Justice to conduct an investigation "consistent with standard procedure for this type of officer-involved shooting."
Late Friday morning, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced it would review the shooting pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506, which mandates an independent review when a law enforcement shooting results in the death of an unarmed person.
Lathrop police said the department was cooperating in that process and was also conducting its own investigation.
"We recognize that our community has questions about what occurred. To protect the integrity of the independent investigation, the Department cannot discuss evidence, witness accounts, or conclusions while those matters are still being examined," the department said in a prepared statement. "Releasing incomplete or unverified information could interfere with the investigation and undermine the accurate, impartial review this incident requires."
In a press release, the Attorney General's Office said findings from the state's police shooting investigations unit would be turned over to the DOJ for independent review. The DA's Office asked anyone who has information about the police shooting can report it by calling 916-210-2871.
