Rookie Officer Kills Man; Probe Begun

An investigation was under way into the fatal shooting of an apparently drunk and unarmed man by a rookie Los Angeles police officer at a house near Elysian Park, authorities said Sunday.

The officer, Glenda Browne, 31, fired three shots from her service revolver Friday night into the chest of 18-year-old Leon Panduro, after he allegedly advanced on her, pulled off her necktie and reached for her gun, Officer Richard Dulgerian said.

Panduro died at the scene.

Police said Browne graduated from the Police Academy in August and is midway through a one-year probationary period.

She and her partner, Officer Richard Ortiz, 42, an 18-year veteran, were called to the home on Rosanna Street after neighbors complained about a loud party, police said. Ortiz found Panduro walking out of the back door, acting in a loud and threatening manner.

Some men at the party held Panduro and told the officers “that he was drunk and that they would take care of him,” Dulgerian said. Panduro broke free and grabbed the butt of Ortiz’s holstered 9-millimeter pistol, but the officer shoved him away.

Panduro then allegedly advanced toward Browne, who drew her pistol and ordered him to stop, Dulgerian said.

Panduro continued to approach, getting close enough to pull off the officer’s tie. At that point, Browne fired three rounds into his chest, the officer said.