Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department stormed a high-rise, downtown apartment Friday night, shooting a man they said holed up in an apartment taking a person hostage.
Witnesses filmed and live-streamed the incident at the apartment building at S Main and 6th streets. Large windows on the apartment provided a clear view inside as SWAT teams rushed in. See the video below.
LAPD officers answered several calls received after 4 p.m. Friday reporting an armed man “committing several crimes” near 8th Street and Broadway.
Police said witnesses reported the man approached a bystander on the sidewalk near that intersection, put a gun to his head, and pulled the trigger. Fortunately, officers said the gun did not fire, the LA Times reported.
“The suspect then went to a business in the 700 block of Broadway,” officers explained. “When he entered the business there were three family members inside. One of them was a 14-year-old. The suspect pointed the gun at the group and fired at them. One of those rounds grazed the side of the 14-year-old’s head.”
The department said the child is expected to recover.
Police said the man continued to disturb the community, failing to carjack a woman near 6th and Spring streets, before attempting to steal a man’s bicycle one block away. The bicyclist fought back just before security officers chased after the man who ran into the apartment high-rise, police explained.
Building officials informed police their security cameras showed the man holding a woman inside at gunpoint, prompting police to radio for SWAT officers to help.
Several loud explosions and gunshots could be heard as tactical officers stormed the apartment.
Police said the suspect died at the scene. Paramedics rushed a woman taken hostage by the suspect to the emergency room but did provide the status of her condition.
WARNING: The video below includes graphic language and footage that some viewers may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
Related
Related
