In-Custody Death (ICD) in 77th Area NRF020-23hg

South Los Angeles: On May 12, 2023, around 11:00 p.m., Newton Area patrol officers pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation on Central Avenue north of 74th Street within 77^th area.  As officers made contact with the driver, he was asked to exit the vehicle.

As the driver exited the vehicle, he armed himself with a black, semi-automatic handgun.  One of the officers attempted to restrain the driver, who attempted to escape the officer’s hold, lunging himself forward.  During the brief struggle the driver discharged his handgun and sustained a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to his neck and immediately fell to the ground.  Officers moved the handgun away from the driver and handcuffed him.

A Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) rescue ambulance responded to the scene and transported the driver to a local hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced deceased.

A loaded, 9mm semi-automatic handgun, and a single spent 9mm casing were recovered at scene.

The driver’s identity is not being released at this time, pending identification by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office and notification of next-of-kin.  He is described as a Male, Black, 30-35 years of age.

No officers were injured during the incident.

Force Investigation Division investigators responded to the scene and are investigating this incident.