Kevin Gaines

Kevin Lee Gaines (February 6, 1966 – March 18, 1997) was an American police officer assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums (CRASH) unit implicated in the Rampart scandal.

Gaines had ties to Death Row Records and the Bloods, and dated Suge Knight's ex-wife. He was shot and killed on March 18, 1997 by undercover LAPD detective Frank Lyga, who was determined to be acting in self-defense. At the time of his death, Gaines was 31, and a seven-year veteran of the force. The shooting of a black officer by a white officer fueled racial tensions and prompted a media frenzy. The investigation into Gaines's behavior also provided the first clues to the widespread police corruption of the Rampart scandal.

Evidence of corruption

Evidence of Gaines's corrupt behavior first surfaced in the summer of 1996. Police responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at a Hollywood Hills mansion. Gaines, off duty, arrived at the scene and is alleged to have initiated an altercation with the responding officers. The officers handcuffed Gaines when he became verbally abusive and provocative. According to police records, Gaines shouted profanities and stated, "I hate fucking cops." Schoettler's letter alleged political reasons for settling the case, namely, City Attorney James Hahn was preparing to run for mayor and black voters were his primary demographic.

Depictions in media

In Episode 1 of the Unsolved series, the 1997 road rage incident is featured, in which Kevin Gaines is played by Mustafa Speaks and Frank Lyga is played by P.J. Marshal.

In the biography film City of Lies, Kevin Gaines is played by Amin Joseph. The film features the 1997 road rage incident with Frank Lyga, played by Shea Whigham.