News Releases

If convicted as charged, Ernesto Sepulveda faces 75 years to
life in state prison

LOS ANGELES — A 26-year-old man has been charged with shooting at two Los Angeles police officers, injuring one of them, near Exposition Park this past Saturday.

“We are thankful that the two officers targeted in this brazen and unprovoked attack survived this terrifying encounter,” said District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. “I will not tolerate any act of violence toward those sworn to protect us.”

Ernesto Sepulveda (dob 12/22/98) was charged on July 8 with two felony counts each of premeditated attempted murder of a police officer and one felony count of carrying an unregistered loaded handgun.

Case 25CJCF03938 includes an allegation that Sepulveda caused great bodily injury to one of the officers, and an allegation that he personally used a handgun in the commission of the crime.  

Sepulveda, who remains in custody, pleaded not guilty at arraignment on July 9.  The court set bail at $3 million. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled July 22 in Department 33 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

On July 5, two officers attempted to question the defendant, who was riding a bicycle with what appeared to be a gun in his pocket. Within a few seconds, Sepulveda allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at the officers, striking one of them in the leg.

Soon after, two additional officers caught the man as he fled and recovered a gun with no serial number – commonly referred to as a ghost gun.

If convicted as charged, Sepulveda faces a possible maximum sentence of 75 years to life in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Michael Michelena of LADA’s Crimes Against Peace Officers Division and is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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