Richard B. Solitro

Date: 4/24/21              Location: Los Angeles, CA               FACTORS (1,2,4,5,8,10,11,19)        

Name: Richard Brian Solitro Jr.                    

Criminal History/Involved: Unknown/Yes, Solitro purposely crashed his car into a police vehicle.  

Mental Illness: Yes, “Solitro’s family said he struggled with mental health for years.” Solitro was shot by police in 2018 while attempting suicide by cop and that appears to be what he did in this incident.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown./None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: White/Male/34

Officer(s) involved: Two Los Angeles Police Department police officers                                      

What prompted the initial contact with Police? At approximately 2:35 p.m. on April 24, 2021, LAPD officers were in a marked police vehicle responding to a 911 call when Richard Solitro drove his vehicle in front of theirs, slammed on the brakes and backed into their patrol car.

Actions taken by subject towards Police: The officers and Solitro exited their respective vehicles after the impact and Solitro walked towards them with his right hand behind his back, counting down. 

Reactions by the Police: The officers ordered Solitro to “Put it down! Put it down!”, but instead of complying he “quickly removed his right hand from behind his back and simulated a shooting-type movement.” Fearing Solitro was about to shoot them, at least one of the officers opened fire and fatally shot Solitro.

Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: The shooting is still under investigation.

What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Let the police vehicle drive past him towards the 911 call instead of pulling in front of it and then purposely backing into it; Stay in his vehicle with his hands on the steering wheel instead of getting out and pretending to have a weapon behind his back; Not motion as if he was pulling out a gun to point at the officers.

Miscellaneous: Officers bodycam captured the incident and show that Solitro was wearing body armor. LAPD released the video to YouTube.

Justified Use of Deadly Force? YES, Solitro clearly gave the officers reason to believe he was armed and about to shoot at them with the weapon he made them believe he had behind his back.