Man shot and killed by police in Boyle Heights had BB gun replica of rifle, LAPD says
BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A deadly shooting involving Los Angeles police officers is under investigation in Boyle Heights.
The shooting happened on Spence Street near 8th Street after police responded to reports of a man armed with a rifle. The neighborhood was placed on lockdown.
AIR7 video shows SWAT officers surrounding a white van. Video from the scene shows shattered glass on the ground and several bullet holes visible on the windshield.
Police shot and killed a man who they say had a replica of a rifle in his vehicle when they responded.
"Upon further investigation and review of body-worn video, there wasn't a clear picture as to what the suspect's actions were at the time of the officer-involved shooting," said Sgt. William Cooper with LAPD media relations.
Cooper said officers with the Hollenbeck Division responded to a call around 8:30 a.m. Monday about a person armed with a rifle.
"After arrival, officers encountered a man armed with a possible firearm," Cooper said.
Authorities have not provided further details on what exactly led up to the shooting. After officers fired, Cooper says a SWAT team arrived.
"SWAT did deploy gas in an attempt to make contact and get some sort of response from the suspect. There was no response from that suspect despite SWAT's efforts. At that time, they determined it was safe to approach the vehicle," Cooper said.
Police say the man was pronounced dead by the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Investigators said he had a BB gun replica of a rifle in his possession.
The van he was in appeared to be a work vehicle with what looked like cleaning supplies in open compartments.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell was also at the scene. The department says its Force Investigation Division will review bodycam footage, interview the police officers involved, and speak with witnesses.
Investigators did not immediately release the name of the man who was killed.
