Jesucita Ortega, 25

Long Beach, California
March 17, 2011

Agencies: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department California LASD | Long Beach Police Department California

Cause of death: Not Yet Known


Follow This Case


Last updated: over 3 years ago

Overview

The shooting occurred about 2:50 p.m., said Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman Nancy Pratt. An officer responding to a report of a person screaming saw Ortega attacking a man with a sharp object.

“The officer immediately ordered [Ortega] to drop the sharp object, but she continued in her attack,” Pratt said. “The officer then deployed a Taser, which was ineffective. At that point, the officer-involved shooting occurred."

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the woman feared that the man was going to harm the couple's children and was attempting to protect them, authorities said.

When the officer arrived at the scene, Ortega was slashing the man in the head and neck with the sharp object. When she advanced toward the officer with the sharp object in hand, she was shot several times.

Community and Family Efforts

#SayHerName