Los Angeles police shot and wounded a robbery suspect Saturday afternoon after the man charged at officers and struck one of them with a metal bar in downtown Los Angeles, authorities said. The LAPD officer wounded in the attack and the suspect were both hospitalized in stable condition, and police said there was no remaining threat to the public.
How the encounter unfolded
Patrol officers were sent to the area of Fourth and Omar streets shortly before 1:30 p.m. after a radio call reporting a robbery, according to the LAPD. On arrival they found a male adult holding a metal bar in one hand and a long tree branch in the other.
Police said officers gave the man repeated commands to drop the weapon, and he did not comply. Officers then fired less-lethal foam rounds, which the department said had no effect. According to the LAPD statement, the man charged and struck an officer with the bar, and an officer-involved shooting followed.
The suspect was hit by gunfire and taken into custody. He and the injured officer were both transported to hospitals and listed in stable condition. No one else was hurt, police said, and the metal bar was booked as evidence.
What happens next in the investigation?
An investigation was underway at the scene, which the LAPD said would be closed for several hours. The department has not released the suspect's identity, and it has not said whether the officer or officers who fired will be placed on administrative leave, a step that is common after such shootings but was not confirmed in the initial statements. Any findings on whether the use of force followed department policy would come from that inquiry.
FAQ
Where did the shooting take place?
It happened near the intersection of Fourth and Omar streets in downtown Los Angeles, just before 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Were the suspect and the officer seriously hurt?
Both were taken to hospitals and listed in stable condition, and police reported no other injuries.
