Los Angeles officers fire at suspect with water pistol before arrest
Police in Los Angeles shot at a man who appeared to have a gun, later identified as a water pistol, and then took him into custody.
Los Angeles police received a call at about 5:30 p.m. about a man walking near South Broadway and West 54th Street who was allegedly armed. Officers from the Newton Patrol Division located the individual, observed what seemed to be a gun, and ordered him to stop. The suspect ignored the command, turned toward the officers, and pointed the object at them, prompting an officer to fire.
The bullets did not strike the suspect, who subsequently dropped the object, which was later identified as a water pistol designed to resemble a firearm. He was taken into custody, and no officers or bystanders were injured. This incident adds to the department’s tally of 13 shootings this year, five of which have been fatal. The man arrested on Monday was the only person shot at who was not hit.
Why it matters
The case highlights police use-of-force decisions when confronting perceived firearms, even when the weapon is later found to be non-lethal.
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