HOLLYWOOD—On December 18, the Los Angeles Police Department Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that transpired in Hollywood.
The LAPD reported at around 3:45 p.m., uniformed officers from Hollywood Patrol Division responded to a radio call regarding a male experiencing a mental health crisis at an apartment complex in the 1400 block of North Bronson Avenue.
The comments of the call indicated the Person Reporting (PR) stated he was armed with a knife, threatening to kill himself, speaking to ghosts, and expressed he would kill anyone who approached his front door.
Upon arrival, officers were supported by additional responding units. The officers entered the apartment building and approached the PR’s apartment door. As they neared the door, the officers announced their presence and heard the subject yelling from inside. The subject abruptly opened the door. The officers repositioned themselves further away from the apartment door and attempted to communicate with the subject again.
The subject suddenly exited the apartment and ran towards the officers armed with a large kitchen knife. As the subject charged at the officers, an OIS and a discharge of a 40-mm less-lethal round occurred near simultaneously.
Officers provided medical aid to the subject until Los Angeles Fire Department personnel arrived. The subject was taken by the fire department to a nearby hospital, where he later died. The name of the individual has not yet been disclosed to the public. No officers or community members were injured as a result of the incident. A kitchen knife was recovered at the scene and booked as evidence.
The LAPD reported that the following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed.
By Danny Jones