One of the pitfalls of breaking news on the Internet and 24/7 news channels is that media organizations feel pressured to post or broadcast stories very quickly – sometimes before thorough fact checking and reflective editing. In the highly competitive Los Angeles market, the major news organizations and blogs want to claim credit for being first with the story, even if it turns out the stories were inaccurate or the headlines inappropriately sensationalist.

A case in point was Thursday’s rush to report the tragic news of Flor Medrano, the mid-City woman who was stabbed to death as police officers rushed to her aid. The officers shot and killed her assailant in their attempt to save her.

The horribly tragic event was made even worse by an initial web story headlined “LAPD probes how woman under police protection was slain with officers nearby.” Readers may have inferred from the headline that LAPD had been remiss in protecting the woman. Nothing could be further from the truth, now that the facts are in.

At a press conference yesterday, Wilshire Captain Eric Davis spoke with unconditional support for his officers. He and all who helped in the investigation should be commended for helping the LAPD media relations staff release a comprehensive and factual recounting of the tragic circumstances leading to Flor’s death – and, as importantly, the back story on how the LAPD officers came to be involved in the case and the diligent steps taken to try to place the woman out of harm’s way. Her assailant was hell-bent on taking her life and no one is more shocked, saddened and outraged than the responding officers. We extend condolences to the family and friends of the victim – and to the LAPD officers who could not have done more to save her.

As you read the following LAPD official media advisory on this tragedy, we hope you agree that when it comes to breaking news in LA, the motto of every professional news organization should be: “Get it first, but first get it right.” And the second part of that motto is much more important than the first.

Los Angeles: At about 11:30 p.m. yesterday, Los Angeles Police Officers assigned to Wilshire Area shot a suspect who was stabbing his estranged girlfriend.

On November 11, 2009, at about 5:00 p.m., Flor Medrano, 30 years of age and a resident of the Mid-City area, flagged down Wilshire Area Patrol Officers. Ms. Medrano reported to the officers that she had been threatened and assaulted by her estranged boyfriend on November 10, 2009. Medrano identified the suspect to the officers, who was believed to be a resident of Inglewood, California. Medrano showed the officers that she had been receiving threatening text messages.

The officers initiated an investigation into the assault and the criminal threats. Officers attempted to locate the suspect by requesting the assistance of the Inglewood Police Department. Inglewood police officers responded to the suspect’s residence but he was not there.

During the course of the investigation, the suspect sent a text message to Medrano which led the investigators to believe that he was at her residence. The investigators responded to the residence, which is described as a second-story apartment in a complex located in the 1300 block of South Cochran Ave. The suspect was not located at the apartment or in the area.

The officers returned to the Wilshire Police Station where Medrano had been waiting for several hours during the investigation. Medrano informed the officers that she wanted to return to her residence. The officers offered to help Medrano secure a place at a domestic violence shelter or to drive her to another location of her choice. Ultimately Medrano decided that she wanted to return home. She explained to the officers that the suspect did not have a key to her residence and that her child from a previous relationship was being cared for elsewhere.

At about 10:45 p.m., the officers followed Medrano to her residence and verified that she had entered safely. Two officers remained outside of the residence in an unmarked police vehicle in hopes of apprehending the suspect. From their position in the police car, the officer had an unobstructed view of Medrano’s front door, which is the only doorway into the apartment.

At about 11:25 p.m., the officers called Medrano by phone to verify her safety and to let her know that they were preparing to leave. The cell phone call was interrupted. Several attempts were made to reestablish the connection. When the connection was finally reestablished, the officers heard screaming. The officers radioed for backup officers and ran up the stairs to the apartment. They observed through a window that Medrano was being stabbed by the suspect. An officer-involved shooting occurred.

As the officer-involved shooting was occurring, backup officers were arriving. Officer forced their way into the apartment and rendered aid to both Medrano and the suspect. Medrano was suffering from multiple stab wounds to her upper torso and the suspect was suffering from a gunshot wound.

Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded to the scene. Both Medrano and the suspect were transported to an area hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Force Investigation Division has assumed responsibility for the officer-involved shooting investigation and Wilshire Homicide Detectives have assumed responsibility for the murder investigation. The knife used in the murder has been recovered.

Persons with information related to this incident are requested to call Wilshire Homicide Detectives at 213-473-0446. On weekends and during off hours, callers may call the 24-hour tip line at 1-877-LAPD 24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Those wishing to remain anonymous may use their cellular phones and text to “CRIMES” or by logging on to http://www.lapdonline.org and clicking on “webtips.” When using a cell phone, always begin the text portion of the message with the letters LAPD. Texting or internet tips provided in this manner are anonymous.