The California Department of Justice is stepping in to investigate a shooting involving Los Angeles Police Department officers that resulted in the death of Ronald Gainer Jr., a 35-year-old man. This investigation is part of a state law that allows the attorney general to look into police shootings, especially when unarmed individuals are involved. However, the LAPD claims Gainer was armed during the incident.
The events unfolded around 10 p.m. on a Tuesday in Koreatown, specifically in an apartment building on Ardmore Avenue. Officers responded to reports of a shooting. As they entered the building, Gainer came out of an apartment holding a handgun. The officers opened fire, and Gainer retreated back inside the apartment.
After the officers entered the unit, they took Gainer into custody. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office. At the scene, police found a handgun along with discharged cartridge casings. They also discovered a second gun and ammunition inside the apartment.
According to the LAPD, Gainer had been involved in a domestic violence incident earlier that evening. Following an altercation with his girlfriend, he allegedly fired a gun into the air and toward a building, prompting the police response.
While the LAPD’s Force Investigation Division was already looking into the shooting, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that his office would also conduct a separate investigation. This decision aligns with Assembly Bill 1506, which mandates the Department of Justice to investigate police shootings involving unarmed individuals. Bonta emphasized that state prosecutors will investigate cases where it is unclear if the deceased had control of a weapon at the time of the shooting.
The law defines possession of a weapon as being under the civilian’s control during the shooting. The Department of Justice’s Division of Law Enforcement will gather evidence and present its findings to prosecutors. If no charges are filed, the prosecutors must release a report explaining their decision.
This incident adds to ongoing discussions about police use of force and accountability, particularly in cases involving firearms and domestic violence. The investigation by the state will aim to clarify the circumstances surrounding Gainer’s death and determine if any criminal charges are appropriate.