A Los Angeles Police Department oversight panel has unanimously determined that the fatal shooting of a transgender woman by an LAPD officer violated department policy, concluding that officers used tactics and force that did not meet departmental standards.
The Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners voted 5–0 this week to find the shooting of Linda Becerra Moran, 30, out of policy. The ruling follows an internal review of the February 2025 incident in which officers responded to Becerra Moran’s call for help at a Pacoima motel.
Becerra Moran, a transgender woman originally from Ecuador, contacted police to report that she was being held against her will. According to body-worn camera footage reviewed by investigators, officers found her with what appeared to be a head injury and initially engaged in questioning. During the encounter, she became visibly distressed, picked up a knife, and held it to her own neck.
Officers backed out of the motel room and continued speaking to her from the doorway. LAPD officials said Becerra Moran later moved toward officers while still holding the knife. Officer Jacob Sanchez fired his weapon, striking her. Becerra Moran was hospitalized and died several weeks later, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
The oversight panel determined that the use of lethal force did not comply with LAPD policy and that officers employed tactics inconsistent with department guidelines. While the ruling does not itself impose discipline, it represents a formal finding that the shooting was unjustified under departmental standards.
The case drew widespread scrutiny following the initial reporting of the shooting, including concerns raised by LGBTQ+ advocates over police responses to transgender individuals in crisis. Becerra Moran’s death renewed broader conversations around law enforcement interactions with vulnerable communities, particularly transgender women seeking emergency assistance.
In August 2025, Becerra Moran’s family filed a civil lawsuit against Officer Sanchez, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the City of Los Angeles, alleging civil rights violations and negligence. Court records show the case remains active, with a jury trial tentatively scheduled for 2027.
The LAPD has declined to comment on the findings, citing ongoing litigation.
The ruling adds pressure on city officials and law enforcement leadership to address use-of-force standards and accountability mechanisms, particularly in incidents involving individuals experiencing emotional or psychological distress. Advocacy groups continue to call for expanded crisis response alternatives and specialized training to reduce the risk of deadly outcomes in similar situations.
