Officer-Involved Shooting in Vinewood Area NR23006

UPDATE

The officer involved in the shooting has recovered from hospital.

Downtown Vinewood: Los Santos Police Department's (LSPD) Force Investigation Division and Robbery-Homicide Division are currently conducting an investigation into a Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that took place at the Tequi-la-la bar in Vinewood Area.

On March 13, 2023, around 1:10 a.m., the LSPD received multiple 911 calls regarding loud bangs coming from the Tequi-la-la Bar & Club, which were later identified as gunshots. Officers from Vinewood Area immediately responded to the calls and arrived on scene shortly after the first call at around 1:13a.m. Upon their arrival, officers reported hearing gunshots and requested for backup. Unfortunately, one officer was shot and injured by the suspect at around 1:15am prior to the arrival of the backup. The responding officers established a perimeter at around 1:32 a.m. The situation was declared a barricaded suspect at 1:36 a.m.

The incident commander requested for the watch commander of Vinewood Area to request Metropolitan Division at 1:50 a.m., along with Los Santos Fire Department (LSFD) paramedics to stage one block down Eclipse Boulevard. Metropolitan Division arrived on scene at 2:25 a.m. and were briefed on the ongoing situation. Attempts were made to contact the suspect, identified as Daniel Wax, a 43-year-old resident of East Los Santos, via the bar's telephone, but there was no response. At 2:50 a.m., Metropolitan Division breached the interior and conducted a thorough search of the building. The suspect was ultimately found in the lower underground section of the bar. The officers deployed a noise-flash diversionary device (NFDD) into the suspect's room, prompting the suspect to open fire on the officers. As the officers entered the basement of the building, an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) occurred, fatally striking the suspect. The building was declared clear at 3:01 a.m., at which point LSFD paramedics were able to enter the scene to provide medical assistance to any victims. LSFD paramedics declared Wax deceased at 03:07 a.m. 

Unfortunately, the shooting resulted in the tragic deaths of 8 civilians, whose identities were later confirmed by the Los Santos County Coroner who notified their respective families. Their identities are withdrawn for privacy reasons. One officer was injured in the line of duty and is currently receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital. Fortunately, 76 civilians were able to escape the building uninjured.

LSPD's specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses and supervised the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Board of Police Commissioners and the Office of the Inspector General to determine the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation and whether the use of deadly force complied with LSPD's policies and procedures.