A 34-year-old man suspected of vandalism and wielding a piece of plexiglass died after officers used force to take him into custody, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Thursday.
According to the LAPD, Harbor Station uniformed officers responded about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday to a radio call of a robbery in progress at a convenience store in the 700 block of West Channel Street, at North Gaffey Street.
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"When officers arrived, they observed the suspect, later identified as ... Roger John Nielsen, vandalizing the business," according to the LAPD.
As officer spoke with Nielsen, he allegedly armed himself with a piece of plexiglass from a sign he was suspected of damaging, police said.
"The officers deployed a 40mm less-lethal launcher, striking Nielson in the upper torso area," police said. "After additional attempts to gain compliance were unsuccessful, officers approached Nielsen who quickly placed himself on the ground, face down. Nielsen was taken into custody after a brief non-categorical use of force."
A non-categorical use of force refers to the use of physical force or devices to control a suspect. Categorical uses of force are more severe and can involve death or hospitalization of subjects.
In this case, Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and transported Nielsen to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
"During the use of force, an officer suffered a dislocated finger and was treated and released," but no other injuries were reported, according to the LAPD.
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