LA Police killing of transgender woman ruled ‘out of policy’ – NBC Los Angeles

An LAPD officer’s killing of a transgender woman at a motel in Pacoima last year was found ‘out of policy’ Tuesday by the Department’s oversight panel.

Linda Becerra Moran was shot when she moved from the back of a motel room towards a group of officers positioned near the motel room door while holding a knife, according to a police-edited presentation of body worn video recordings.

She died at a hospital several weeks later, according to the LA County Medical Examiner.

The Board of Police Commissioners considered the case in closed session and reported late in the afternoon that its members voted 5-0 in deciding some of the officers’ tactics were out of policy, and ruling the shooting of Moran violated Department rules.

“And for the lethal use of force, out of policy, one police officer II,” reported Commission executive director Django Sibley.

The LAPD identified the officer who fired as Jacob Sanchez.

Moran, 30, dialed 911 on February 7, 2025 to report that she was being held against her will at a motel in the 10000 block of Foothill Blvd., and told the officers who responded that she’d been physically assaulted.

The police video shows Moran becoming agitated as officers asked to examine a head wound and questioned her.

She told the officers to leave the room, then picked up the knife and held it to her own neck.

“She was never protected by LAPD when she asked for help, instead she was murdered,” TransLatina coalition president Bamby Salcedo told the Commissioners Tuesday morning before they considered the case.

“I’m asking that you bring justice to the memory and life of Moran and her family,” she said.

According to an LAPD news release the officers backed out of the room and stood at the threshold of the door as Moran became upset, repeatedly asking her to drop the knife.

“Moran did not comply and advanced toward the officers, while still holding the knife, when an officer involved shooting occurred,” the release said.

Moran’s family filed a lawsuit against Officer Sanchez, the LAPD, and the City of Los Angeles in August, 2025 for civil rights violations and negligence.

“The force used against her was unnecessary, excessive, and entirely avoidable, causing the wrongful and tragic loss of a vulnerable victim’s life,” the suit said.

The LAPD does not comment on pending lawsuits.

The LA City Attorney’s Office filed an answer, or response, to the lawsuit last year that denied the allegations and asked the court to dismiss the case.

A jury trial has been tentatively set for July, 2027, according to court records.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which reviews police shootings to determine whether or not they are legally justified, has not yet published its decision in the case.