Deadly Officer-Involved Shooting On Skid Row Caught On Camera Under Investigation

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — An officer-involved shooting in downtown Los Angeles was under investigation Monday after a video of the incident has gone viral.

Los Angeles Police Department officers were responding to a robbery call around noon Sunday near the Union Rescue Mission, 545 S. San Pedro St., when the incident took place, officials said.

When they attempted to arrest a homeless man, a scuffle ensued and an officer attempted to use a Taser to subdue the suspect. According to officials, the man then tried to grab for an officer’s gun, which prompted three officers to fire five shots killing him.

“Right now we know there was a struggle for one of our officer’s weapons,” LAPD Cmdr. Andy Smith said.

A video, which is filled with expletives and could be disturbing to some, was taken by a witness named Anthony Blackburn and posted on his Facebook page.

The sound of a deployed Taser is audible as well as a voice yelling, “Drop the gun,” right before shots are heard.

Another video of the incident has also surfaced, and police say they will review surveillance cameras in the area as well as possible video taken from one of the officer’s body cameras.

“It’s going to be a long investigation, and we will get to the bottom of it,” Sgt. Barry Montgomery said.

A protest was held in Pershing Square Sunday night.

Pastor Wayne Gaddis, who has been working to improve the relationship between the African American community and LAPD, says he understands people’s pain, anger and frustration.

“We do not support police brutality,” he said. “But we do support the police department.”

The three officers involved were on paid administrative leave during the investigation.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League released a statement Sunday. It read in part:

“Testimony and facts are still being collected and assessed. Until that investigation concludes, the LAPPL urges everyone to reserve their judgment as there is much to learn about the incident. In fact, audio heard on a video recording during the incident clearly suggests that the officers felt they were in life-threatening danger.”

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