VAN NUYS, CA — Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Deputy-Involved Shooting that occurred in the 5800 block of Allott Avenue, Van Nuys on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at approximately 12:00 P.M.
Sheriff’s Homicide detectives have learned that detectives from the Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau (MCB) Metro Burglary Task Force were conducting surveillance of known burglary suspects.
MCB detectives saw suspect Martisyan walk to the rear yard of a residence. Shortly thereafter, detectives saw the unsuspecting owner of the residence arrive home. Fearing a confrontation between the suspect and the homeowner, detectives converged on the home, but not before the homeowner made it inside.
Once inside, the homeowner was confronted by Suspect Martisyan in the kitchen and he pepper sprayed the homeowner before fleeing out a rear door of the home. When Martisyan emerged from the rear yard, he was confronted by a detective who tried to detain him. Martisyan then pepper sprayed the detective and continued to run from the location.
While two other MCB sheriff’s detectives gave chase they saw Martisyan grab his waistband area, and turn towards them with a black object in his hand. Fearing for his life, one detective fired one round at Martisyan, striking him in the right leg. Martisyan managed to pepper spray two additional sheriff’s detectives. Martisyan ran a short distance further, before collapsing to the ground.
Martisyan was treated by paramedics before being transported to a local hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. Three deputies and the homeowner were medically treated (decontaminated from pepper spray) at the scene.
One replica 9mm handgun belonging to the suspect was recovered at the scene. The second suspect, Manukyan, was arrested a short distance away.
Suspect Martisyan is currently hospitalized and suspect Manukyan was booked at the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s station (http://www.EastLA.lasd.org). Both suspects face charges relating to Home Invasion Robbery and in addition, Suspect Martisyan will be charged with Assault on a Peace Officer. There are no further details at this time.
Whenever a Deputy-Involved Shooting occurs involving Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies and it results in the wounding of a suspect, multiple independent investigations immediately begin at the scene. These include separate investigations by the Office of the Los Angeles County District Attorney in addition to investigations by Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and Internal Affairs Bureau. Attorneys with the Los Angeles Office of Independent Review also respond to the scene and have full access to the facts know to the Sheriff’s Department throughout every phase of these thorough investigations. Once concluded, every aspect of the shooting is reviewed by the Sheriff’s Executive Force Review Committee.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.