A burglary suspect was fatally shot by LAPD SWAT officers Monday morning during a standoff in West L.A.
Officers responded to the 2600 block of South Halm Avenue at about 3:20 a.m. on a report of a burglary in progress, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Initially, officers stopped a van with three men inside, but when they looked back at the home, they saw smoke coming out of it.
The fire department was called. After the fire was extinguished, a man was found inside the house armed with a large knife.
Detective Megan Aguilar told KNX News’ Pete Demetrious that officers came back to try to arrest the man.
[iframe https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3306.2626730995344!2d-118.38577942588091!3d34.037132518530775!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x80c2b979a50fdcdb%3A0x7dcd13db049603da!2s2600%20S%20Halm%20Ave%2C%20Los%20Angeles%2C%20CA%2090034!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1722273219311!5m2!1sen!2sus allowfullscreen="" height="300" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="border:0" width="400"]“They set up that containment and they were trying to negotiate with that individual at one point. They thought that they were going to be taking him into custody,” she said. “They ended up using a couple of bean bag rounds from one of their beanbag shotguns. All that did though unfortunately was the suspect withdrew further into the residence.”
Around 5:15 a.m., officials made the decision to contact SWAT.
“SWAT decided to come out as they were setting up their containment, relieving the West LA officers,” Aguilar added. "The suspect exited out of a window armed with the knife still and there was an officer-involved shooting with SWAT personnel.”
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The man died on the front lawn of the home and a large knife was found near his body, according to police.
The men in the van are being questioned, but at the time of publication, they are not believed to be involved in the burglary.
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