At a Glance
- The LAPD’s oversight panel ruled that the shooting of Linda Becerra Moran violated department policy.
- Officers identified as Jacob Sanchez fired the fatal shot after a confrontation at a Pacoima motel.
- A lawsuit was filed in August 2025 and a jury trial is scheduled for July 2027.
- Why it matters: The decision signals a stricter review of police use of force and highlights ongoing scrutiny of law-enforcement interactions with transgender communities.
The shooting of a transgender woman in a Pacoima motel has sparked a formal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Board of Police Commissioners. The board found that the officer’s tactics were out of policy and voted 5-0 to rule the shooting violated department rules.
Incident Overview
On Feb 7 2025, Linda Becerra Moran, a 30-year-old transgender woman, called 911 from a motel in the 10000 block of Foothill Blvd. She reported being held against her will and that she had been physically assaulted. Officers responded to the call and entered the motel room.
The body-worn-camera footage, edited by the department, shows Moran moving from the back of the room toward a group of officers positioned near the door while holding a knife. She repeatedly asked the officers to leave the room and later lifted the knife to her own neck. The officers backed out of the room, stood at the threshold, and urged her to drop the weapon. Moran did not comply and advanced toward the officers, at which point the officer fired.
Moran was transported to a hospital, where she died several weeks later. The LA County Medical Examiner confirmed her death.
Board Findings
The Board of Police Commissioners reviewed the case in a closed session. Executive director Django Sibley announced the outcome:
> “And for the lethal use of force, out of policy, one police officer II,” Sibley said.
The board’s decision was unanimous, with a 5-0 vote. The panel concluded that the officer’s tactics-specifically the decision to fire-were not justified by department policy. The ruling was released late in the afternoon of the same day the board convened.
The board’s findings were based on:
- Video evidence of the confrontation.
- The officer’s statement that Moran advanced toward them while holding a knife.
- Department policy guidelines on the use of lethal force.
Legal Actions
In August 2025, Moran’s family filed a civil rights lawsuit against Officer Jacob Sanchez, the LAPD, and the City of Los Angeles. The suit alleges:
- Unnecessary, excessive, and avoidable force.
- Civil rights violations and negligence.
The lawsuit claims that the force used was “unnecessary, excessive, and entirely avoidable, causing the wrongful and tragic loss of a vulnerable victim’s life.” The LAPD has declined to comment on pending litigation.
The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office responded last year with an answer that denied the allegations and requested dismissal of the case. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which reviews police shootings for legal justification, has not yet released a decision.
A jury trial is tentatively set for July 2027, according to court records.
Community Reaction
TransLatina coalition president Bamby Salcedo addressed the Commissioners before the board considered the case. She said:
> “She was never protected by LAPD when she asked for help, instead she was murdered.”
Salcedo urged the board to bring justice to Moran’s memory and her family:
> “I’m asking that you bring justice to the memory and life of Moran and her family.”
The community’s response highlights broader concerns about how police handle encounters involving transgender individuals, especially in situations of alleged self-defense or weapon possession.
Key Takeaways
- The LAPD’s oversight panel determined the shooting was out of policy.
- The officer, Jacob Sanchez, is the sole focus of the lawsuit filed by Moran’s family.
- Legal proceedings are ongoing, with a trial scheduled for July 2027.
- The case underscores the need for clear policies and accountability when police confront potentially armed individuals.
The outcome of the upcoming trial and any decisions by the District Attorney’s Office will further shape the narrative around police accountability in Los Angeles.
