Robert Velasquez, 40, Injured in Los Angeles Police Shooting at Property on the 3000 Block of Glenn Avenue in Hollenback
HOLLENBECK, CALIFORNIA (May 20, 2026) – A 40-year-old man identified as Robert Velasquez was injured in a Los Angeles Police Department shooting on the 3000 Block of Glenn Avenue.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the incident occurred around 1:45 a.m. on May 16. The police received a call about an assault with a deadly weapon in progress.
They arrived at the residence and located Robert Velasquez. He allegedly emerged from the house with two knives and a grilling fork. Officers gave him instructions to drop the fork and knives.
He allegedly threw one of the knives before an officer opened fire and shot him. After getting back to his feet, a second officer opened fire and shot him again.
Officers were able to use force and apprehend the man before placing him under arrest. Robert Velasquez was treated by paramedics who arrived at the scene before being transported to a hospital.
A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Los Angeles Police Department Shootings
Police officers are expected to use a great deal of care to avoid needlessly harming suspects. Pursuant to California Assembly Bill No. 392, the authority to use physical force is a serious responsibility that must be exercised judiciously with respect for the dignity and human rights of all persons. Every person in the state of California has the right to live free from excessive force exercised under the color of law. There are many ways a police officer may have acted negligently prior to shooting a suspect.
- Threat Assessment: Police officers may have misread a suspect’s behavior and failed to understand that they were suffering from a mental illness.
- Unreasonable Escalation: Police officers may have made a confrontation worse by issuing aggressive demands or by choosing to use lethal force too quickly.
- Bad Positioning: Police officers may have moved into a dangerous location unnecessarily, which increased the odds of a lethal encounter with the suspect.
- Less-Lethal Options: Police officers may not have used less lethal measures prior to opening fire with their service pistols.
If a police officer fails to properly de-escalate an encounter and uses lethal force to subdue a suspect, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. Police departments can be liable for the excessive force of their officers. In particular, police departments may be responsible when they fail to properly train officers on the right safety protocols when dealing with suspects who are in the midst of a mental health crisis. It is important to consider the actions of a police officer in the lead-up to any serious encounter.
Steps to Take After Los Angeles Police Department Shootings
The Los Angeles Police Department has a poor track record when it comes to using reasonable levels of force. According to the Los Angeles Times, “LAPD officers have fired their weapons in 46 incidents so far this year — killing 13 people and wounding 23 others — a roughly 70% increase compared to 2024 and the highest annual shooting total by the department since 2015.” A number of actions should be taken after any police shooting involving the LAPD.
- The actions of the officers leading up to the shooting should be investigated.
- Body camera footage from responding officers should be reviewed.
- Medical records related to injuries should be collected.
- Victims should consider their options with an experienced civil rights attorney.
Police shootings can be prevented in many situations when the right safety protocols are being followed. This is incredibly important when police officers encounter any person who may be in the midst of a mental health crisis. Unfortunately, many officers do not know how to conduct themselves in these situations. Any person injured by the excessive force of the LAPD may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating Los Angeles Police Department Shootings
We at Carrazco Law were very concerned to hear about the police shooting of Robert Velasquez. It is our sincere hope that the victim will be able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what took place.
Do you need more information about a Los Angeles Police Department shooting? Our team of civil rights advocates is here for you. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we may be able to assist you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español.
