Police shot a man armed with a metal bat in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday after he allegedly charged at officers and struck one of them during a violent afternoon confrontation.
The incident began at about 1:25 p.m., when LAPD Central Division patrol officers responded to a report of a robbery near 4th Street and Omar Street.
At the scene, officers encountered an adult male carrying a metal bar in one hand and a large tree branch in the other. He ignored repeated orders to put down the weapons.
“Officers gave the suspect multiple commands to drop the weapon, which he failed to comply [with],” the LAPD said. “Officers deployed less lethal foam rounds to no effect.”
The man then rushed toward the officers and struck one of them with the metal bar.
Officers opened fire, hitting the suspect. He was taken into custody and transported to a nearby hospital.
The injured officer was also hospitalized. Police said both the officer and the suspect were in stable condition.
Investigators recovered the metal bar as evidence, and authorities reported no additional injuries.
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The LAPD described the details as preliminary and said the investigation was still in its early stages.
“There is no ongoing threat to the community,” the department said.
