February 1, 2024

Armed Barricaded Suspect Arrested by Beverly Hills Police

Beverly Hills, Calif. – On Thursday, February 1, 2024, at approximately 9:39 a.m., Beverly Hills Police officers responded to 9850 Wilshire Blvd. (Waldorf Astoria) for a “keep the peace” call for service.

Hotel security provided information to BHPD Police Dispatchers, requesting a welfare check for a male guest staying at the hotel. Hotel security believed the guest might be armed. Before BHPD arrived, hotel security knocked on the door and heard someone yell, “I’m going to shoot through the door!”

The BHPD drone responded and observed the suspect with a firearm in his hand on the hotel balcony. Additional BHPD assets, including Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel, Crisis Negotiation (CNT) personnel, detectives, and mutual aid resources, responded. The BHPD Real Time Watch Center constantly monitored the suspect.

As resources began to arrive on the scene and crisis negotiators prepared to establish communication with the suspect, officers requested the suspect exit his room unarmed. He complied, and he was safely taken into custody.

There are no reports of any injuries. The preliminary investigation conducted by detectives determined the suspect was a convicted felon and had fired several rounds within his hotel room.

Suspect:

• Joseph Leonardi, a 41-year-old from Woodland Hills, California, was booked on the following charges:
  o PC 29800(a)(1) – Felon in possession of a firearm
  o PC 246.3 – Negligent discharge of a firearm

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Lieutenant Andrew Myers
Public Information Officer
mediarelations@beverlyhills.org

24-Hour Watch Commander
(310) 285-2125