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Family of Man Shot by LAPD in Boyle Heights Receives $475,000 Settlement

An officer shot Fred Barragan on March 25, 2017.

What to Know

  • A $2 million settlement was approved for the family of a man who was shot and killed by a police officer.
  • The officer who shot Fred Barragan, 35, on March 25, 2017, was responding to a report of gunshots fired in the area.
  • Lawyers for his family argued he was unarmed, had committed no crime, had not been given any commands or warnings, and wasn't a threat.

A $475,000 settlement was approved by the Los Angeles City Council Tuesday for the family of a man who was shot and killed by a police officer in Boyle Heights.

The officer who shot Fred Barragan, 35, on March 25, 2017, was responding to a report of gunshots fired in the area. Lawyers for Barragan's family argued he was unarmed, had committed no crime, had not been given any commands or warnings, and posed no threat or danger to the public. Police said Officer Hector Almeda opened fire on Barragan after he attempted to flee on foot and then pointed a gun at the officer.

The LAPD said a gun found near Barragan's body was forensically tied to the previous shooting, that the gun had a heat signature showing it had recently been fired, and that gunshot residue was found on Barragan's hand.

Police said that just after midnight that day, officers on patrol in the area of First and Soto streets heard multiple gunshots in the area of First and Breed streets. Almeda and his partner were in their squad car going westbound on First Street, saw Barragan and tried to stop him.

Police said Barragan fled, did not respond to officers' demands to stop, and was shot once by Almeda when Barragan turned and aimed a gun at him. The Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners ruled the shooting was within department policy.

A spokesman for Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The settlement was approved on an 11-0 vote.

Correction: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect settlement amount. The current version of this story has the correct amount.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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