The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) faces renewed scrutiny after an LAPD police shooting left Jeremy Flores (26) dead in Boyle Heights. Civil rights groups and residents are demanding answers from the Los Angeles Police Commission and calling for accountability.
At the commission’s regular meeting on August 19, 2025, Flores’ family and community members said three Hollenbeck Division officers overreacted and caused a civilian’s death. They also accused the LAPD of resisting transparency, pointing to a memorial on August 5, 2025, where police used a hardline response and Flores’ sister fell.
The shooting happened on July 14, 2025, when officers responded to reports of a person with a gun. The department has identified the officers involved as Livier Jimenez, Fernando Godinez, and Michael Ruiz. They confronted Flores, who was inside a van, and opened fire after stating he held a gun.
It was later confirmed that the object was a replica gun, not a firearm. Flores, who had a mental illness, died at the scene.
The LAPD said Flores refused to leave the van and acted threatening with the gun. Critics described the incident as “another excessive response against an unarmed resident.” Under California law, replica guns are not considered weapons. The LAPD has opened an internal investigation, while the California Attorney General’s Office has launched a separate inquiry. The family and advocacy groups are demanding immediate release of body-worn camera footage, which must legally be published within 45 days.
The case recalls the May 2, 2024 shooting of Yong Yang (40) by Olympic Division officers. Yang, who had a mental illness, was killed after multiple rounds were fired. His parents continue to seek discipline for Officer Andres Lopez more than a year later.
Flores’ mother, Isabella Rivera, told the Los Angeles Times: “My son’s life deserves respect. We want justice, not money.”
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
