Homicide Report > Jack Schlesinger, 25
Jack Schlesinger, 25
Died Sept. 28, 2010
Jack Schlesinger, a 25-year-old white man, was shot and killed by LAPD officers Tuesday, Sept. 28, in the 1600 block of West Temple Street in Westlake, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Shortly after 4:30 p.m., three officers patrolling the Echo Park neighborhood came upon a suspicious-looking vehicle. A check of its license plate revealed that the car had been reported stolen and the suspected thief was thought to be armed and dangerous, said LAPD Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger.
The officers stopped the car where Schlesinger exited and turned toward the officers; he was armed with an AK-47 assault rifle or similar weapon, Paysinger said. Two officers opened fire, killing Schlesinger, he said.
Paysinger said that along with the rifle, a handgun was discovered in Schlesinger's back pocket.
It was not immediately known if Schlesinger fired on the officers, Paysinger said, and investigators were working to determine details of the pursuit and the shooting.
Aerial news photographs appeared to show a black rifle on the ground next to Schlesinger's body, which had been lifted by officials onto a gurney and covered with a sheet.
Westlake ranks 40th highest for violent crime per 10,000 residents among the 211 areas patrolled by the LAPD or Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department analyzed in The Times new interactive database, Crime L.A.
Since January 2007, at least 140 people have been killed by police officers in Los Angeles County, according to coroner's data collected for the Homicide Report.
— Joel Rubin and Megan Garvey
- Neighborhood: Westlake
- Age: 25
- Gender: Male
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Tuesday
- Agency: LAPD Criminal Investigation
- Race/Ethnicity: White
- Circumstance: Officer-involved
21 reader comments about Jack Schlesinger
This is the outcome of anyone with a weapon, coming at a cop! What's he doing with an AK-47?
Oct. 6, 2010 at 10:26 a.m.
Good thing the police stopped this sociopath before anyone was hurt.
This guy must have had a violent history. No tears from me over his demise.
Oct. 6, 2010 at 11:13 a.m.
ak-47 wow this was not a very smart move by the deceased
Oct. 7, 2010 at 10:02 a.m.
This problem has become bigger and bigger. There is always abandon cars in this alley and gangs are fighting for this alley. Reports have been done to police and its about time they do something about it.
Oct. 7, 2010 at 1:47 p.m.
10% of all homicides are commited by cops! What's the goal, 100%?
Oct. 8, 2010 at 9:23 a.m.
i'm not a fan of "cops" but AK-47? not exactly a swiss army knife..2 in the head one in the chest ..
basically victum had given officers no choice but to feed him a led salad.
Oct. 9, 2010 at 3:33 a.m.
R.I.P big jack. if u only knew this man, you would know how shady the L.A.P.D is if u dont u must not be brown enough...
Oct. 9, 2010 at 5:08 p.m.
— jkickz, and just what are we supposed to think about someone in a stolen car armed with a semi-automatic rifle?
Oct. 9, 2010 at 10:42 p.m.
i only knew this man because he victimized me about 6weeks ago...no i dont believe he was a sweet guy..he carjacked me as well in toluca lake on a wednesday morning..and yes he had a gun..and yes he stoled everything out of my car...sorry about the outcome...and yes i am really sorry for him.
Thanks LAPD..
Oct. 9, 2010 at 10:44 p.m.
It is beyond belief that people who are commenting on this story are actually in support of this person. But then again, with people like him and those supporting him, it is no wonder why this site is filled each week with people who are murdred in this great city.
Oct. 11, 2010 at 11:49 a.m.
It’s quite interesting reading some of these comments, especially from the individuals who blindly follow the word of the media. Comments like that illuminate conformism in its truest form. Media is the biggest weapon our society has on instilling thoughts and ideology in our minds. We read articles such as this and believe them. The information they hold, the story they write, the image they draw. To people who have never meet Jack, this article is entertainment to go with the morning coffee. It gives a glimpse of an evil world and teaches parents of the wickedness they must protect their kids from, people they should avoid, and places they should never visit. Although this article must be of some good, for it attempts to show order on the streets of LA, it is still hollow, for it is a one sided story that transforms a man into a monster and the LAPD into hero’s. I’m sure no one can call Jack a Saint, but he was a person and should be seen as such. He had a family and friends that appreciated him and loved him regardless of his flaws. Maybe his way of life caused this tragic outcome, but it is for none of us to judge him, especially after only taking a glimpse into the whole story. And this story is exactly that, “A Glimpse.” This article does not substantiate the actions of the LAPD and is quite illusive with the details, especially since there was police on site. How hard can it be to get a story straight? What cause the LAPD to open fire? How where they provoked? Why is it so difficult to figure out who took the first shoot, yet the type of weapons used and Jacks intent to use them be so clear? My point is that we should always cover every angle before judging a person, and we should never fully accept the media and the “Truths” that it spreads. In fact, knowing the area where this happened and the division of the LAPD that “patrols” it, I wouldn’t be surprised that we are not told the whole truth and probably never will. My Condolences to everyone who has suffered from this tragedy, especially Jacks Brother.
Oct. 13, 2010 at 7:22 p.m.
AnotherKonO, I completely agree with your comment. Most of the police killings reported is one sided and is usually reported by an official representing the department. It is going to be biased from the get go. I also do believe most folks are easily convinced by what's reported in the media. There's a lot of cops that don't have the physical and mental skills to be in the force and yet they are patrolling our streets and any incident like this one they pull the trigger and they believe they've done the right thing.
Oct. 18, 2010 at 10:45 a.m.
You creeps: Jack is my neighbor's son and his life was tragic. He wanted to die that's why he stepped out of the car with weapons.
Another tragic story of what happens to kids lured into or around gangs at a young age and drugs.
His family fought to save him.
Fought hard with everything in them.
He was back in prison for going after a kid who shot or knifed his kid brother..
The police responded accordingly but it was murder in cold blood. Jack wouldn't have shot--he wanted to die. His life was too hard for him to handle. It is a tragedy of enormous proportion and I would ask that you stop writing stupid comments for his family's sake. I have never been exposed to this element of society but I can assure Jack's life was tragic and a total loss. He set it up so the police would kill him.
The story behind this kid is private but but one of enormous sadness for his family.
Jack was not a sociopath but did sustain a tremendous amount of damage in childhood.
Reporters write it up to favor the police. He was one of thousands of people whose lives are ruined by possibly genetics, environment, bad luck, bad choices.GANG INFLUENCE DURING EARLY CHILDHOOD.
But out of respect for his parents : JUST STOP MAKING MISINFORMED COMMENTS PLEASE. I can assure you with a great pain in my heart that one of his parents has suffered more than you could imagine and fought day and night to save his son from this fate.
If our society does anything it should be EARLY INTERVENTION FROM DRUGS & GANGS. I have never been exposed to any of this but I can tell you that's where society needs to intervene: EARLY.
His entire family has suffered more than you can imagine..
I am not faulting the Police: they have a job to do. There are always shades of gray and often there is a tragic failure of the system behind a story like this.
Life isn't fair and this story is one of life's great tragedies.
May God forgive your ignorance.
Thankyou.
Nov. 7, 2010 at 1:30 a.m.
— anomynous, "us ignorant" people have every right to condemn the deceased as being a sociopath. He armed himself with powerfull weapons and he was out to kill. He is the one who put society at extreme risk.
Its too bad he had a bad upbringing. But the fact is he chose the life he wanted to live. And it was a violent sociopathic life.
And it sure the H**L wasnt a cold blooded murder by the police. Just what do you think the police should do when they see someone handling high powered weapons in public? Protect the citizens or sit on the sidewalk and sing "komm-bay-yah"? Get real. He was an extreme threat to society and he needed to be neutralized before anyone was hurt!
And there isnt any shades of gray about this. He chose a violent world to live in. he chose to attack the police. And he paid the price for it.
Nov. 8, 2010 at 9:55 a.m.
Syscom 3 : I am on the Police's side. they protect us. This is one of those odd situations where I feel bad for the family.
He was wrong. totally.
I am law abiding and can't stand violence.
I just felt bad for all involved.
Nov. 10, 2010 at 6:10 a.m.
Did you know jack? I mean really know him? Did you know his brother? Did you know what he was thinking? Who the hell are you to say that he wanted to die? Step out of your own “ignorance” and stop leaving comments that are down right sad. Your logic on human nature is sound, but your comments on this individual aren’t. Just because you know his father doesn’t mean you knew Jack…Remember that…..
Nov. 17, 2010 at 11:55 p.m.
I can not stand reading all these comments brother I love you with all my heart your my angel guarding me now, I will always remember you an miss you how I wish things would of happen so differently. I know you suffered a lot in this earth an hope you finally found peace. God I wish I could of seen you a last time an gotten a last hug from you. I remember when you would tell me bed time stories an tell me that you love me. I know you were not no angel but you sure had a big heart an is why I love you so much :'( RIP my handsome brother like you would always write me that you were handsome big brother :D... Your memories are all I have left but that's good enough to keep you alive in my heart...
Feb. 18, 2011 at 10:40 p.m.
I love you JACK no matter what people say think or what ever I will ALWAYS love you brother ALWAYS! Rest In Paradise
Sept. 12, 2012 at 12:01 a.m.
His Brother just did the exact same thing.
He survived and will face changes.
This incident was caught on video.
Sept. 12, 2012 at 11:53 a.m.
— DCT .... seems to be something wrong with that family.
Sept. 12, 2012 at 5:49 p.m.
So much hate here... No one knew Jack and Ian better than I... who am I? lests just say Im with you.... these guys went through alot in life... I love them soooo much... no one is perfect and if you are then you must be greater than god, cause he him self wasnt perfect. I love you Jack and Ian. Jack was my love... what kind of love? dont worry about it. No one knew what these guys were about. Only true friends and family. Did they hurt your family? I dont think so! So Shut Up! as for the weapons, big deal, people all around have them. Only because you have a badge its ok for you to have a gun? Yea right! Put your badge down bring your gun, lets see what you got! RIP Jack... my love, Ian, hang in there love.
Oct. 25, 2012 at 7:07 p.m.
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