Richard Mendoza, 32, of Los Angeles died on August 23, 2018, after being shot during a police-involved shooting that began with a traffic stop in North Hills on the night of July 27, 2018. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department recognized Mendoza from prior encounters; he was a documented gang member with past convictions for narcotics sales and possession of a firearm by a felon, and was on federal probation at the time.

Body camera and dash-camera footage released by the LAPD show Mendoza complying at first but then drawing a .380-caliber handgun as he was asked to exit the vehicle and firing two shots, one striking a female officer in the leg. The other officer returned fire, striking Mendoza multiple times. Mendoza was taken to a hospital and later died; the female officer survived and was treated for her wound.

The LAPD Force Investigation Division investigated, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case, concluding the officers’ use of deadly force was justified. No other arrests or suspects were involved and the case was closed. Did anyone else witness that stop or have additional information about what happened before officers arrived?