Hollywood Officers Shoot Man Who Stabbed 3 People NRF011-17jr

Update: Police Officer, Brett Cohen, Serial No. 40760 assigned to Hollywood Area, was identified as the officer involved in the below incident.

**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**

Hollywood: Officers shoot man inside fast food restaurant as he stabs third victim

On January 31, 2017, around 2:00 P.M., a 38- year-old male was sitting on the sidewalk in front of a liquor store located on the 6400 block of Sunset Boulevard. The store owner approached the seated male and observed that the man was holding a large knife in his hand. The shop keeper asked the man to leave the area and then went back inside his business. The male then stood up and with the large knife still in hand, attacked a man who was walking along the sidewalk with a friend. Without provocation, the suspect stabbed the victim in the chest and then fled eastbound on Sunset Boulevard.

A 911 radio call was generated reporting that the attack suspect was walking eastbound between moving vehicles on Sunset Boulevard. According to witnesses, the suspect attempted to enter a coffee shop on Sunset and Cahuenga, however, the shop employees acted quickly to lock the front door preventing the attacker from entering the store. Moments later, the suspect entered a fast food restaurant on the northwest corner of Sunset Boulevard and Ivar Avenue. Once inside the restaurant, the suspect began to stab a male patron who was sitting at a table. The wounded victim ran outside as the suspect pursued him. Two Hollywood Division officers who were in the area heard the radio call and observed the suspect step out of the restaurant and then quickly returned back into the restaurant. Once back inside, the suspect began to stab another person who was seated at a table.

The officers entered the restaurant, and saw the suspect stabbing the victim. One of the officers immediately deployed a taser, while the partner officer fired his service weapon at the suspect striking the suspect. The suspect fell to the ground and was taken into custody.

The officers immediately requested paramedics for the victims of the stabbings as well as the suspect who had been shot. Prior to the arrival of paramedics, the officers gave first-aid guidance to patrons who began assisting the bleeding victims inside the restaurant. The stabbing victims were ultimately transported to local hospitals where they were treated for their serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect succumbed to his injuries at scene and was pronounced dead. The involved officers were not injured during this incident.

LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged to call the LAPD at any of the following numbers: • During business hours at (213) 486-5230; • During non-business hours or on weekends at (877)-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247); • Anonymously 24-hours a day to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or by texting “LAPD” and your tip to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S); or • Online at www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.