Initial Results of Inquiry Into LAPD Slaying of Toddler Turned Over to D.A.

A Los Angeles Police Department captain said Tuesday that preliminary results of an inquiry into the fatal police shooting of toddler Suzie Pena have been turned over to the district attorney and a final report would be ready next month.

Capt. Jim Vogue was called before the Police Commission to discuss the internal investigation amid concern by Commission President John Mack and others that it remained unresolved nearly a year after the July 10, 2005, shooting.

Pena, who was 19 months old, was killed, police said, when her father used her as a shield as he engaged in a gunfight with several LAPD officers during a more than two-hour standoff. The father also was killed and one officer was wounded.

“We want this to be a thorough, comprehensive, quality investigation, without a doubt,” Mack told Vogue. “But we also are mindful of the reality of how a long, extensive investigation like this aggravates relationships and tensions with community people wanting to know what’s going on.

“So I’ll just reiterate the strong desire of this commission that we really move this process as expeditiously as possible,” Mack said.

Police officials said the investigation so far has involved more than 80 interviews with witnesses, 36 DNA tests and ongoing microscopic analysis of 250 fired bullets and casings from 13 firearms.

Vogue also said the department had obtained a grand jury subpoena aimed at getting all of the videotape of the incident from television news organizations.

“It is just a very complex matter,” Police Chief William J. Bratton said.