Barricaded Suspect Surrenders After Lengthy Standoff

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department's Newton Division detectives announce the arrest of 25-year-old Juan Zamora, a resident of Los Angeles, for possession of an assault rifle.

On June 28, 2019, around 3:30 a.m., Newton Area officers responded to a panic alarm at a convenience store, located in the 1900 block of San Pedro Street. Upon their arrival, the officers observed a red Sport-Utility-Vehicle (SUV) in the parking lot with two male occupants The primary unit and a backup unit deployed their vehicles in front of the SUV and ordered the occupants to exit. The suspects failed to comply, driving directly between the officer's vehicles, striking one of the open police vehicles doors.

Newton officers went in pursuit of Zamora's vehicle, but lost it due to excessive speed. An LAPD airship remained with the pursuit, and broadcast the vehicles location. This led to a 77th Division patrol unit seeing Zamora's vehicle and going in pursuit. During this portion of the pursuit, Zamora stopped his vehicle near 54th Street and Main Street, and a male passenger exited and fled on foot. Zamora accelerated away at a high rate of speed. Once again due to his excessive speed, the 77th Division officers were unable to safely continue the pursuit and lost Zamora's vehicle.

The LAPD airship continued to follow Zamora's vehicle, southbound Broadway at a high rate of speed. The pursuit terminated when Zamora collided with a light standard near the corner of Broadway and 65th Street. Zamora exited the vehicle and fled on foot into an apartment building in the 300 block of 65th Street. Newton officers at scene quickly determined they had a barricaded suspect and contacted Metropolitan Division.

While still securing the scene, a subsequent search of Zamora's vehicle yielded a loaded AK-47 assault rifle. Officers were later met by a woman who stated she was Zamora's girlfriend and that their two-month-old son was inside the apartment with him.

Metropolitan Division resources arrived on scene and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) quickly established a line of communication with Zamora. After several hours of negotiations, Zamora peacefully exited his residence with the child unharmed.

Our officers demonstrated great patience, discipline and a willingness to exhaust the CNT process to avoid provoking an adverse reaction with such a volatile individual. In the end, officers were able to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Newton Area Detectives at (323) 846-5363. During off-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips" under the "Get Involved-Crime Stoppers" menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may download the "P3 Tips" mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.