Early Friday in Sunland, Los Angeles police officers forced their way into a home near Oro Vista Avenue and Wentworth Street after a woman called 911 and reported her husband was holding her at knifepoint. Officials said the woman has a disability and is unable to walk. She was triaged at the scene and did not require transport to a hospital. A suspect was taken into custody, and three officers were treated at the scene after the man allegedly pepper-sprayed them during the arrest.
According to FOX 11, LAPD began getting multiple 911 calls around 2 a.m. reporting that the woman was being held against her will. Officers ordered the man to come out, but when he refused, police breached the door. The suspect was in custody by about 3:45 a.m., based on information the department provided to reporters.
Disability and domestic violence risk
Federal reporting and advocates say people with disabilities face higher rates of intimate-partner violence and more barriers to getting help. A House committee report notes that “individuals with disabilities and people who are Deaf have nearly double the lifetime risk of IPV victimization” and calls for better accessibility in services; see the House report for more background.
Police response and arrest
Police said officers repeatedly ordered the suspect to exit, and when he did not comply, they made entry after several minutes of standoff. The timeline comes from FOX 11, which reported that LAPD supplied the information to journalists. Names of both the victim and the suspect have not been released, and investigators had not publicly detailed any charges as of Friday morning, according to the department.
How to get help
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential support, contact the LA County Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-978-3600 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233; both offer 24/7 confidential assistance.
