LAPD Releases Video Of Valley Traffic Stop Turned Deadly

LOS ANGELES, CA — A"critical incident" video released Monday by the LAPD shows in heartstopping detail just how quickly a routine traffic stop can turn deadly.

The video, the latest under a new department policy of releasing footage from police shootings, shows what happened the July night 32-year-old Richard Mendoza died. Police pulled over Mendoza, a probationer, for a traffic stop in North Hills. One second an officer is asking him to step out of the car, and the next he's shooting her in the leg before turning on her partner. Before he could fire off another round, the second officer kills him with a series of shots to the head and torso.

The video, shot by officer-worn body cameras and a patrol car dash- cam, was taken near Plummer Street and Noble Avenue around 10:15 p.m. July 27. The traffic stop turned deadly and was over in less than a minute.

A female officer who recognized the driver from prior contacts is seen on the video approaching the vehicle and interacting with the man behind the wheel, asking him if he is still on probation. The officer asks the man to step out of the vehicle, even asking him, "You don't have anything on you, right?"

But as the man steps out of the car, he quickly produces a gun and shoots the officer, who falls to the ground. On the video, he is seen then turning toward the other LAPD officer, who was standing on the other side of the car. That officer quickly fires at the suspect, striking him in the head and upper body.

The officer can be heard radioing for help, calling out that an officer needs help and shots had been fired.

He approaches his wounded partner, asking her if she is OK and where she was hit.

"In my left leg," the wounded officer responds, clearly in pain.

The suspect can be seen lying on the ground, face down, next to his car.

Police said he was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The shooting and officers' actions are still under review by the department. Police said the suspect had prior convictions and was affiliated with a gang.

WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES OF A FATAL POLICE SHOOTING

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo: Youtube screengrab