Police shot and injured a man in downtown Los Angeles on Halloween after he allegedly struck an officer with a metal bar during a police response to a reported robbery, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Officers responded to a robbery call near the intersection of 4th and Omar streets at approximately 1:25 p.m. Saturday. When they arrived, they encountered a man holding a metal bar in one hand and a tree branch in the other, police said.
According to the LAPD, officers repeatedly ordered the man to drop the weapons, but he did not comply. Police then deployed less-lethal foam rounds in an attempt to stop him.
“Officers deployed less lethal foam rounds to no effect,” the department said.
After the foam rounds were deployed, the man charged at officers and struck one of them with the metal bar, according to police. Officers then opened fire, injuring the man.
Both the suspect and the injured officer were transported to local hospitals for treatment. They were reported to be in stable condition, according to the LAPD.
Police recovered the metal bar at the scene as evidence. No other injuries were reported in connection with the shooting.
“There is no ongoing threat to the community,” the LAPD said.
Traffic near San Pedro and 4th streets remained affected as officers continued their investigation. Police had not released additional details about the incident at the time of the report.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
