Man Pointing Gun at Officers is Shot

February 20, 2008

Los Angeles: Police shot an attempted robbery suspect as he pointed a handgun at officers.

On Saturday, February 16, 2008 at around 3:45 p.m., Rampart Officers responded to a radio call of an attempted robbery suspect at 6th Street and South Park View Street. The officers spoke with the victim and were given a description. While searching the area, the officers saw the suspect pointing a black semi-automatic handgun at a man and woman standing on the sidewalk. Officers got out of their police car and ordered the suspect, in both English and Spanish, to drop the gun and put his hands up. The suspect refused to drop the weapon and Officer Kevin Beard fired one round. The suspect was struck once and fell to the ground.

The suspect was taken to USC Medical Center where he failed to respond to treatment and died from his injuries.

No officers were injured during the incident.

The suspect’s weapon, a replica semi-automatic pistol, was recovered at the scene.

Force Investigation Division is handling the investigation.