![Yong Yang fell backward onto the couch after an LAPD officer opened fire from outside the door. [Bodycam capture]](https://www.koreadailyus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/0408-Yong.jpg)
An LAPD officer disciplinary review is set to begin nearly a year after the fatal shooting of Yong Yang, a 40-year-old Korean-American man with a history of mental illness. The case has drawn renewed scrutiny over the delay in accountability and transparency.
The Los Angeles Police Department will consider possible disciplinary action against three officers involved in the incident during a scheduled meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners on April 8, according to city officials.
Focus on Officer Who Fired Fatal Shots
Attention is centered on Officer Andres Lopez, who fired the shots that killed Yang on May 2, 2024, at an apartment complex near Koreatown. Officers responding to the scene were equipped with less-lethal bean bag rounds but used live ammunition, leading to accusations of excessive force.
Lopez was previously involved in a 2021 police shooting involving another individual with mental health issues. His role in both incidents has raised concerns among advocates and community members.
Family and Community Seek Answers
The upcoming disciplinary review will take place in a closed-door session. The Korea Daily submitted questions to the LAPD regarding the status of the officers and the procedures for the review, but no public response has been provided.
Min Yang, the victim’s father, expressed frustration over the lack of communication. “It’s been almost a year, and I don’t understand why they are only now discussing disciplinary action,” he said in a phone interview. “We haven’t heard anything from the LAPD about what’s happening.”
Legal Action Forced Document Release
Initially, the LAPD withheld documents related to the shooting. In response, the Korea Daily filed a public records lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles. On March 4, the L.A. County Superior Court ruled in favor of the newspaper, ordering the department to release the requested materials.
The incident prompted widespread protest within the Korean-American community, with many calling for increased oversight, transparency, and reform in how law enforcement handles encounters involving mental illness.
BY KYEONGJUM KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
