By Andrew J. Campa and Libor Jany Los Angeles Times. Original article can be read at https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-01-29/lapd-oversight-commission-says-officers-shooting-was-out-of-policy This is a summary.
LAPD Oversight Board Deems Fatal Shooting of Transgender Woman Out of Policy
The Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners has ruled that the fatal shooting of Linda Becerra Moran, a 30-year-old transgender woman, violated department policy. The civilian oversight panel overrode the recommendation of the police chief in issuing the finding.
Incident Overview
The shooting occurred on February 7, 2025, at a motel on San Fernando Road in Pacoima. Becerra Moran had contacted 911 for help, stating that she was being held against her will and feared she was being sex-trafficked.
Upon arrival, LAPD officers encountered Becerra Moran inside a motel room. She showed signs of distress and visible head injuries, which she attributed to being struck with a bottle. Body-worn camera footage showed officers speaking with her before the encounter deteriorated.
Escalation and Fatal Force
As tensions rose, Becerra Moran asked the officers to leave and held a knife to her neck in an apparent mental health crisis. Responding officers backed toward the entrance of the room with their firearms drawn, repeatedly commanding her to drop the weapon. When she stepped toward the middle of the room, Officer Jacob Sanchez fired, striking her in the chest.
Becerra Moran was taken to an area hospital in critical condition. After surviving on life support for roughly three weeks, she died on February 27, 2025, following consultation with hospital ethics officials after efforts to locate next-of-kin in Ecuador proved unsuccessful.
Public Reaction and Oversight Ruling
The killing sparked community protests outside LAPD facilities and prompted a civil rights lawsuit from her family against the City of Los Angeles. Critics and advocacy groups pointed out that Becerra Moran had reached out to emergency services as a victim of a crime, emphasizing that officers failed to employ de-escalation methods or deploy specialized mental health resources.
Following an internal investigation, the Board of Police Commissioners determined that the officer’s use of deadly force did not comply with department standards, officially categorizing the shooting as out of policy.
