LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Police Department has released body-camera video of an officer-involved shooting of a man threatening motorists with what appeared to be a gun but turned out to be a metal pipe with a makeshift handle, FOX 11 reported.
According to a critical incident briefing, officers responded to a 911 call about a man pointing what appeared to be a sawed-off shotgun at passing vehicles on June 5.
Upon arrival, officers located the suspect holding what appeared to be the object and simulating firing at a police air unit overhead. Officers gave verbal commands and called for backup as the suspect walked across the street, placed the object in his waistband, and put on a jacket.
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Officers then deployed four less-lethal 40-millimeter rounds. The suspect retrieved the object again and pointed it toward officers, appearing to simulate firing.
Body-camera and security footage showed officers firing a single round, striking the suspect in the upper left arm.
Bystanders were heard shouting, “He don’t have a gun!” and “It ain’t a gun!” following the shooting.
Police administered a tourniquet at the scene before paramedics transported the suspect to a hospital for further treatment.
Investigators later recovered a black metal pipe with a handle, which resembled a sawed-off shotgun. LAPD said the object was determined to be an imitation firearm.
The suspect was booked on June 9 for two counts of brandishing an imitation firearm and one count of resisting a peace officer.
