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Police tightlipped about Stenroos motive
El Camino High School was on campus-wide lockdown twice in two weeks. Once was because a student brought a gun to school. L.A. police say the first time around, L.A. public schools officer Jeff Strenroos lied about taking a shot to the chest.
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Police tightlipped about Stenroos motive
Police tightlipped about Stenroos motive
Los Angeles police still aren’t saying much about last month’s shooting that involved school police officer Jeff Stenroos.
At his monthly media briefing, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck refused to confirm reports that Stenroos had accidentally shot himself.
“He did?" Beck asked with a chuckle. "I haven’t told you that.”
The eight-year school police veteran initially said someone had shot him outside El Camino Real High School in the San Fernando Valley. That prompted a massive manhunt for the shooter. The officer recanted a week later.
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“He has cooperated in that he’s told us that his initial statement is not true," Beck said. "Beyond that, I’m not going to give credence to any other statements he’s made until I can corroborate them.”
The chief has said Stenroos has a bruise on his chest that’s consistent with someone who’s been shot while wearing a bullet proof vest. Beck said detectives are still looking at where, when and how the 30-year-old officer was shot. Regardless of whether an accident, Beck said one thing is for sure.
“We will seek a felony filing on Mr. Stenroos,” Beck said.
Beck said that at a minimum, Stenroos faces charges that he filed a false police report.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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