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BWC: Man who fired shots at LAPD helicopter taken into custody after SWAT standoff

A K-9 assisted in arresting the suspect, who initially refused to drop his gun until officers fired shots at him

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Police Department released video from a November incident in which a man fired multiple rounds at an LAPD helicopter, prompting an officer-involved shooting, KTLA reported.

The Nov. 20 incident began when officers from the 77th Street Patrol Division responded to a radio call of an assault with a deadly weapon involving a suspect at the scene. An LAPD air unit also responded and began monitoring the area from above.

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According to police, the aircrew observed the suspect standing in the front yard of his residence. He then fired approximately three to five rounds from a pistol at the orbiting helicopter.

Officers on the ground also saw the suspect armed with a handgun and ordered him to drop the weapon. When he failed to comply, officers fired their weapons. The suspect dropped the pistol but remained in the yard and continued to ignore commands to surrender.

As more officers arrived, they deployed less-lethal rounds from a 40-millimeter launcher, striking the suspect, LAPD said. He then retreated into his home and refused to come out. A SWAT team was called to the scene, and after a standoff, the suspect exited the residence and was taken into custody following a police K-9 deployment.

LAPD said the suspect was not struck by gunfire during the confrontation. He was treated at a hospital for injuries sustained during the arrest and later booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.

A firearm recovered from the scene was booked as evidence. The LAPD investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

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Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com