- Police Brutality Watch

A 19-year-old Sylmar man who opened fire with a gun at a raucous Halloween party died after being shot -- in self-defense -- by an off-duty LAPD officer, officials said Monday. Mario Lopez died Sunday evening at Simi Valley Hospital of a gunshot wound to the neck, officials said. William Ortiz, a bystander at the party, was listed in fair condition with a gunshot wound to the jaw. The off-duty officer was questioned by Simi Valley police and released. He was identified Monday by the Los Angeles Police Department as Jaime Reyes, a first-year rookie assigned to the Van Nuys Division. "Detectives are investigating the shooting, but it appears at this time that the off-duty officer fired his gun in defense of his life," said Simi Valley police Sgt. Paul Fitzpatrick. LAPD Sgt. Catherine Plows said Monday the department's Force Investigation Division was investigating the incident. [more]