Victor Manuel Carrillo Shot and Killed by Police After Chaotic Burglary Incident in East Hollywood — LAPD Responds to Violent Confrontation at Apartment Complex
EAST HOLLYWOOD, CA — A tense and violent series of events unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning in East Hollywood, leaving one man dead after a confrontation with law enforcement. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers fatally shot a 27-year-old man, later identified as Victor Manuel Carrillo, following an attempted burglary and physical altercation at a multi-unit apartment complex on the 1200 block of Alexandria Avenue.
The incident began around 4:00 a.m. when several 911 calls were placed to the LAPD’s Rampart Division. Callers reported that a man was behaving erratically, attempting to force his way into several apartments within the building. The nature of the calls grew increasingly urgent, with residents describing the suspect as aggressive, unpredictable, and possibly under the influence or suffering a mental health crisis.
According to preliminary reports, Carrillo was attempting to gain entry into multiple units via doors, windows, and balconies on the second floor. Witnesses say he was yelling incoherently and appeared to be in a heightened, possibly delusional state. Some residents barricaded themselves inside their homes while others attempted to flee the building in fear. Several described hearing loud banging, broken glass, and pleas for help coming from neighboring apartments.
Within minutes of the emergency calls, officers arrived at the scene and attempted to assess the rapidly deteriorating situation. Upon arrival, police found Carrillo near one of the second-floor entrances. What followed was a chaotic and dangerous confrontation in which officers said the suspect became combative and ignored repeated verbal commands to stop.
Details released by law enforcement suggest that Carrillo physically assaulted at least one responding officer, sparking a struggle in close quarters that escalated quickly. Officers deployed non-lethal force, including Tasers and batons, in an effort to subdue the suspect. However, according to LAPD accounts, these methods were ineffective in bringing Carrillo under control.
As the confrontation continued to intensify, police allege that Carrillo attempted to reach for one of the officers’ weapons. Fearing for their safety and that of the surrounding residents, an officer discharged their firearm, striking Carrillo. The suspect was immediately provided medical aid by both officers and paramedics who arrived moments later. Despite these efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident left many residents of the apartment complex shaken and traumatized. Some reported witnessing parts of the altercation through their windows or hearing the gunshots from inside their homes. A few were later escorted from their apartments as the area was cordoned off by yellow police tape and crime scene investigators began their work.
In a press conference later Thursday, an LAPD spokesperson confirmed that the department’s Force Investigation Division is conducting a full and independent investigation into the shooting. Body-worn camera footage from each responding officer is being reviewed and will be included in the department’s Critical Incident Community Briefing, which is expected to be released to the public in accordance with LAPD policy.
“We understand that officer-involved shootings, especially those that happen in residential areas, create deep concerns for both residents and the wider public,” the spokesperson said. “We are committed to full transparency and a thorough investigation to determine exactly what occurred during this tragic encounter.”
Officials noted that Carrillo was known to law enforcement and had prior encounters with police. However, it is not yet clear whether any outstanding warrants or charges were connected to the events leading up to Thursday morning’s deadly confrontation. Toxicology results from the coroner’s office are pending and may provide insight into Carrillo’s behavior during the incident.
The shooting has reignited community conversations about law enforcement responses to incidents involving potentially mentally ill or unstable individuals. Advocates for police reform and mental health support have already begun calling for a deeper examination of how such cases are handled — including the availability of crisis intervention teams or non-lethal alternatives when responding to individuals in distress.
“This is the kind of situation where a trained crisis response unit could have made a difference,” said one East Hollywood resident who gathered with others Thursday evening to discuss the incident. “No one wants to see anyone die like this — not the man who was struggling, not the officers who had to use their weapons, and definitely not the neighbors caught in the middle.”
Several city councilmembers have acknowledged the tragedy and are urging for a timely and transparent release of all relevant information surrounding the shooting. A few have also reiterated their support for expanding community-based safety initiatives, which include pairing mental health professionals with officers in certain emergency response situations.
Meanwhile, the residents of the Alexandria Avenue apartment complex are dealing with the emotional toll of what they experienced. Property management has provided resources for tenants, including temporary counseling services and building repairs. Some apartments sustained property damage during Carrillo’s attempt to gain entry, and residents are calling for additional security measures such as reinforced locks and better exterior lighting.
Despite the fear and trauma caused by the early morning incident, community members are also expressing relief that no bystanders or residents were physically injured. Many described the officers’ response as fast, though chaotic, and acknowledge the volatile nature of what they witnessed.
“I don’t think anyone wanted this to end the way it did,” said one long-time tenant. “We were scared. He was clearly not okay. It all happened so fast. It felt like a nightmare.”
As the investigation continues, LAPD has stated that all officers involved in the shooting have been placed on standard administrative leave pending the outcome of the inquiry. The department also reiterated its commitment to following all procedures required in an officer-involved shooting, including internal review, oversight by the Office of the Inspector General, and potential review by the District Attorney’s Office.
The coroner’s office will be handling the official autopsy, and further details about the suspect’s mental and physical condition at the time of death will be made available once the report is finalized.
For now, East Hollywood remains on edge — its residents rattled by the incident and the memory of a morning that turned from unsettling to deadly in a matter of moments. As details continue to unfold, many are calling for accountability, change, and healing in a neighborhood that is no stranger to hardship, but always yearning for safety and peace.
The events on Alexandria Avenue serve as a painful reminder of the deep complexities involved in policing, community safety, mental health, and justice. While questions remain, what’s certain is that a life has been lost, a community is shaken, and a system continues to search for better solutions amid tragic circumstances.
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