Douglas Hill, of Illinois, Injured In LAPD Shooting In Lobby of Miyako Hotel on 1st Street In Little Tokyo

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (August 1, 2023) – A 39-year-old man identified as Douglas Hill was injured in a Los Angeles Police Department shooting at Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo.

Los Angeles Police Department officials are saying that the incident took place on June 25. Police officers responded to a call about a man with a knife in the lobby of Miyako Hotel on 1st Street.

The suspect has been identified as Douglas Hill and could be seen in body camera footage released to the public. After officers made contact, he can be heard yelling “You ain’t cops!”

An officer can be heard yelling at him to drop the knife. The suspect can then be heard saying “It ain’t a real damn gun.”

Officers then open fire and shot Douglas Hill at least two times in the lobby of the Miyako Hotel. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the man. He was taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment.

A full investigation into the shooting remains ongoing at this time.

 

Liability For LAPD Shootings

The Los Angeles Police Department has a particularly poor track record with respect to officer-involved shootings. According to one report, there were 31 officer-involved shootings in 2022. There have been many more reported instances of excessive force by officers. A newly released video shows a Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy violently attacking a transgender man during a traffic stop. The victim allegedly flipped off the deputy before being assaulted. There have been a number of other instances involving officers.

• Suspects have been hit by police officers while they were restrained.
• A number of unarmed suspects have been shot by officers.
• Police officers have put suspects in dangerous choke-holds.

Depending on the facts of any case, a police department could be liable if one of their officers injured a suspect. In particular, departments can be liable for the excessive force of their officers. Excessive force refers to force that is used in excess of what a police officer believes is necessary for the situation. When a suspect is finally restrained, officers must not hit or attack the suspect.

There are protocols police departments must follow when they are dealing with suspects who may be mentally ill or intoxicated. In particular, officers must do their best to calm the situation, avoid physical contact and determine if a suspect is taking medication. If a police officer fails to follow a safety rule promulgated by their employer, this could create the basis of a civil claim. Consider, for example, People v. Brown, 245 Cal. App. 4th 140, 171 (Ct. App. 2016). There are a number of steps that should be taken after any police shooting.

• Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
• Body camera footage from all officers involved should be examined.
• Medical records related to the incident should be preserved.
• An experienced civil rights advocate should be contacted.

Police officers are expected to protect and serve the public. Part of this duty includes helping people who are under the influence or suffering from a mental health crisis. Sadly, though, many police officers are quick to use lethal force when better alternatives are available. Many police shootings can be avoided when officers follow department protocol.

 

Investigating Los Angeles County Police Shootings

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our best wishes to Douglas Hill and his family as he continues to recover. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. This man needed compassion and help. But instead he was quickly met with lethal force by the LAPD.

Have you or someone that you care about been harmed by the excessive force of Los Angeles Police Department officers? There are a number of laws designed to help you. Our team of civil rights advocates are committed to holding police departments accountable for the wrongful actions of their officers. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any police shooting we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.