The Burbank Police Department and California Department of Justice (DOJ) continue to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 27, 2023, which resulted in the death of one man.
On May 27, 2023, at about 4:00 p.m., the Burbank Police Department received a phone call from a man
claiming he was in a vehicle in the parking lot of Home Depot, located at 1200 South Flower Street, armed with a “25 Beretta,” saying he was going to shoot people.
When the officers arrived, they located the man still seated in the vehicle and had a verbal exchange. The suspect then exited his vehicle, took a shooting stance, held a dark object in his hand, and pointed it at the officers which precipitated an officer-involved shooting.
Officers immediately provided medical aid to the man and summoned paramedics. The Burbank Fire Department responded and transported the man to a local trauma center where he succumbed to his injuries.
The decedent has been identified as 47-year-old Ruben Ramos, a resident of Canoga Park.
In accordance with Assembly Bill 1506, the DOJ has assumed control of this investigation and will independently review this officer-involved shooting.
In addition to the DOJ investigation, the Burbank Police Department will continue to conduct an extensive
investigation into this incident, which includes:
▪ An administrative investigation of all evidence and facts by the Burbank Police Department
Internal Affairs Bureau
▪ A comprehensive analysis by the Burbank Police Department Critical Incident Review Board
▪ An independent analysis and review by an external oversight board, the Office of Independent
Review
This critical incident debrief video is intended to provide an overview of the incident along with body-worn and in-car camera footage. This video also contains information about evidence related to the case to provide a better understanding of what occurred based on the information available to investigators thus
far.
Here is the video put out by the Burbank Police Department, which you can also watch from the myBurbank YouTube site:
This distressing incident of an officer-involved shooting triggers not only inquiries about the individual’s actions, but also contemplations on the systemic inadequacies potentially contributing to such a dire result.
It appears that the man in question masterminded his demise in a confrontation with law enforcement. This is a scenario that underscores broader societal concerns at stake. Our streets, and indeed, our society, should be domains where individuals can move freely, unthreatened by violence.
It is indeed disquieting to learn that the individual, despite a history of violent criminal conduct, was free to meander through our society. This raises significant questions about the efficacy of our current legal provisions and judicial rulings. Are they indeed providing the peace and tranquility they are supposed to ensure?
In a time when unfiltered information holds paramount importance, the editing and interjected commentary on the body camera footage appears unnecessary, and frankly, somewhat intrusive. Though the police personnel undoubtedly had good intentions, I would have preferred to view the footage in its original form, sans interruptions. Any required blurring could have been implemented to adhere to YouTube’s Terms of Service, but only where absolutely essential. Uncompromised access to information should be a standard, not a privilege. While we do rely on our law enforcement agencies for interpretation and context, allowing the facts to stand unvarnished would have enabled individuals to form their own judgments based on raw evidence.
Ruben Ramos’ family is undoubtedly grieving, and rightly so. If any attempt is made to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit for this apparent suicide, it would be crucial for the presiding judge to dismiss such a case due to lack of cause of action. It is painfully evident that Mr. Ramos set in motion the events leading to his own demise. May his soul find the peace in death that eluded him in life.
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