Los Angeles Police Department officers shot and killed a gun-wielding 37-year-old man after he fired a bullet into an officer’s face on March 16.
The shooting took place a mile north of USC’s campus after an LAPD SWAT team responded to reports of the gunman firing shots into the air just after noon.
“There were reports of a gunman in the rear yard firing a rifle into the air,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore said at a press conference.
LAPD Chief Moore provides an update on today's Officer-Involved Shooting involving SWAT in Southwest Division https://t.co/VJ6EkKXO3T
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) March 17, 2021
Through USC TrojansAlert, a DPS-operated emergency notification system, students received several emails and texts informing them of an incident near campus and advising them to avoid 21st Street between Toberman Street and Union Avenue.
When police arrived on the scene, Moore said, family members told them the suspect was in a questionable state of mental health.
To protect nearby residences, officers evacuated neighbors before trying different peaceful methods of coaxing the man out of the house. After several attempts, the officers fired tear gas into the residence.
Still, Moore said, the man did not come out, instead, firing his gun at the chest of one of the officers. The officer was protected by a bullet-proof vest.
The gunman fired again, this time striking the same officer in the face. The officer was rushed to a nearby hospital and was said to be alert, conscious and “grateful to be alive,” according to Moore.
Moore thanked the SWAT officers who helped rescue the injured officer and get him the physical and emotional help he needed.
The officers responded to the gunman’s shot by firing back. As a result of the gunshot wounds, the suspect died at the scene. His death marked the beginning of a lengthy investigation into the incident.
Moore expressed his gratitude that there was “no further loss of life” at the scene.