RANDAL SIMMONS

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT

Special Weapons and Tactics

Shortly, after 9:00 p.m. February 6, 2008, the Los Angeles Police Department's Communications Division received a 911 call from a home in West Valley in the 19000 block of Welby Way in Canoga Park. The caller indicated he had killed 3 of his family members and to "come and get me". West Valley Patrol Units responded to conduct an investigation.

The suspect refused to leave the home and LAPD SWAT was called to the scene.

Around 12:30 a.m. February 7, 2008, SWAT made entry into the home and an exchange of gunfire between the officers and the suspect occurred. Two veteran SWAT officers were shot, removed from the home and rushed to Northridge Medical Center.

Despite the efforts of the Los Angeles Fire Department and hospital personnel, officer Randal Simmons passed away just after 1:00 a.m.. SWAT officer James Veenstra was seriously wounded with a GSW to the face but is recovering.

The 19 year old suspect and known gang member had a history of emotional problems and expired at the scene.

The members of the Los Angeles Police Department are deeply saddened this morning, having lost a member of their family. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of these two brave officers. Both have served this city for more than 25 years and have been a part of SWAT for 20 of those years.

The concept of SWAT originated in the late 1960s, and became fully operational in 1971 when personnel were assigned on a full-time basis to Metropolitan Division. Until this morning, no SWAT officer had been killed in the line of duty despite thousands of incidents this elite unit has responded to in thirty plus years. The only other SWAT Officer to have died on duty was Officer Lou Villalobos, who died during a training accident in March 2000.