Human shield toddler killed by police bullet
A toddler whose father used her as a human shield during a gun battle with police died from a single gunshot fired from a police officer’s rifle, authorities confirmed.
Los Angeles County coroners released the autopsy reports of 19-month-old Suzie Pena and her father Jose, 34, who were killed on Sunday in the shootout at Pena’s car repair business.
The girl died from a single gunshot to the head, and her father died of multiple gunshot wounds, the reports said. A toxicological examination is expected later to determine whether Pena had drugs or alcohol in his system.
Police Chief William Bratton said earlier that Pena was to blame for the child’s death, calling him “an individual who held his own daughter out as a human shield”.
The pair were killed after a nearly three-hour stand-off in which Pena exchanged gunfire with officers three times.
Officer Daniel Sanchez, 39, was wounded in the shoulder during the third and final exchange between SWAT officers and Pena.
Police said Pena told them during the stand-off that he was not going to go to jail and shot at the officers repeatedly. Pena’s 17-year-old stepdaughter, who escaped during the shoot-out, told police Pena had threatened to kill his toddler daughter.
Earlier in the day, Pena’s wife had called 911 to report that he had threatened her life.
Pena’s brother condemned the police handling of the stand-off.
“It’s been cruel what’s happened to my brother,” German Pena said on Tuesday.
“They didn’t have any patience, none at all, knowing that my niece was with him, that he was a father. They should have acted with more patience.”
