The Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners found that the actions of Los Angeles Police Department officers involved in the shooting death of 26-year-old Jeremy Flores last year were within department policy and did not warrant disciplinary action.
The decision was made during a closed session Tuesday, nearly a year after Flores was killed by officers in Boyle Heights. The commission voted 3-0 that the officers’ tactics, including drawing a firearm and using deadly force, complied with LAPD policy when responding to an armed suspect.
According to police, on July 14, 2025, Hollenbeck Division officers responded to a report of a man armed with a “possible assault rifle,” and they found Flores sitting inside a van near the corner of 8th and Spence streets. Officers said Flores refused commands to exit the van and drop the weapon before they opened fire after he raised the rifle. Investigators later determined the weapon was an Airsoft rifle.
The civilian commission oversees the Los Angeles Police Department and reviews officer-involved shootings. The California Department of Justice is continuing its investigation into the shooting.
Family members, community members and activists attended the meeting and spoke during public comment before the board deliberated on items related to the shooting investigation.
“I’m here asking the board to give this family some type of justice. Proceed with the firing of these officers,” Vanessa Perez said.
Gabriel Quiroz, a member of Centro CSO, said that he and many other community members felt like the actions taken by LAPD officers that day were not within policy.
“He was unarmed when he was shot. He didn’t hurt nobody. He was shot and killed immediately … and instead of him getting care, the SWAT team came up through a drone and threw tear gas at his body as he lay on the floor, bleeding,” Quiroz said.
Isabella Rivera, Flores’ mother, urged commissioners to hold the officers accountable before a final decision was made.
“There were different ways to approach the situation,” Rivera said. “My son didn’t even receive medical attention; they left him there to die, and they even handcuffed him when he had already passed away. I want justice for Jeremy Flores.”
In the months following Flores’ death, Rivera became an outspoken advocate for police accountability. She canvassed with local grassroots organization Centro CSO, attended weekly police commission meetings, and joined a national conference in Chicago, connecting with families across the country who have also lost loved ones to police violence.
After learning of the decision Tuesday afternoon, Rivera said she was disappointed by the commission’s findings.
“It hurts. I can’t lie,” Rivera said. “Justice can sometimes be blind. But [the board] has the power.”
Rivera said she remains determined to continue seeking accountability and hopes the California Department of Justice investigation will bring justice for her family.
“I’m going to keep up the fight. This is only one battle, but I’m going to continue fighting,” Rivera said. “I’ll be at the next meeting and I’m gonna go and stand up again.”
Rivera said she plans to hold a vigil on the anniversary of Flores’ death near Olympic Boulevard and Spence Street, where he was killed.
LA Documenter Martin Romero contributed reporting for this story. LA Documenters trains and pays LA residents to take notes at local government meetings around Los Angeles. You can find meeting notes and audio at losangeles.documenters.org
