Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck spoke out in support of the three bicycle patrol officers at the center of shooting of a day laborer on Monday that triggered a riot resulting in injuries to three officers, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Beck identified the three officers responding Monday to the shooting of Manuel Jamines on Monday as Frank Hernandez, a 13-year veteran; Steven Rodriguez, a five-year veteran; and Paris Pineda, who also has been on the force for five years. Hernandez fired the shots, Beck said.
Police also showed photographs of the bloodied 6-inch switchblade they say Jamines, 37, was holding at the time of the shooting. Investigators are testing the blood.
About 300 protesters gathered near Rampart Station, throwing eggs, rocks and bottles at officers who fired less-lethal projectiles to push the crowd back.
