Incident Overview

A man shot and wounded by Los Angeles police in Northridge over the weekend had allegedly held his girlfriend hostage and fired one shot at her, authorities said.

Louis Jordan Cortez was hospitalized after he was shot by at least one officer in the front yard of a home in the 8900 block of Balcom Avenue after 2 a.m. Sunday morning, Nov. 2, police said.

Events Leading to the Shooting

Officers were called to the home on a report of a fight, with the caller saying he or she heard a woman crying, police said. Officers found Cortez in the front yard with a handgun and holding his girlfriend hostage, authorities said.
Officers told Cortez multiple times to drop the weapon, but he did not, police said. He continued to struggle with the woman while still armed when at least one officer fired at him.

Details of the Confrontation

As he struggled with his girlfriend, Cortez allegedly fired one shot at her, police said.
She was not struck.
Cortez was hit by police gunfire, but did not immediately surrender, police said. He remained in the front yard and officers negotiated with him before he was taken into custody.

Aftermath and Charges

Cortez had yet to be cleared by hospital staff for booking, but police plan to book him into jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, police said. His age was unclear.
The gun Cortez held was found by police at the scene after he was taken into custody, they said.

Conclusion

The incident highlights the dangers and complexities of domestic violence situations and the challenges faced by law enforcement in resolving such situations safely. It also underscores the importance of prompt and effective intervention in cases where individuals may be at risk of harm.

FAQs

Q: What led to the police being called to the scene?
A: The police were called to the home on a report of a fight, with the caller saying he or she heard a woman crying.
Q: What charges is Louis Jordan Cortez expected to face?
A: Cortez is expected to be booked into jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.
Q: Was the girlfriend injured during the incident?
A: According to the police, the girlfriend was not struck by the bullet fired by Cortez.
Q: What happened to Cortez after he was shot by the police?
A: After being shot, Cortez did not immediately surrender. He remained in the front yard, and officers negotiated with him before he was taken into custody.