Sword-Wielding Suspect Killed During Officer-Involved Shooting In North Hollywood
NORTH HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA) — A suspect allegedly armed with a "sword-type weapon'' was killed Wednesday morning in an officer-involved shooting in North Hollywood.
Officers were dispatched to the 6400 block of Elmer Avenue around 10:45 a.m. following a report of a man armed with an unknown weapon causing a disturbance when the shooting occurred.
The suspect, later identified as 50-year-old Rommel Mendoza, was pronounced dead at the scene, and officers recovered the weapon, police said.
According to neighbors, the suspect was a troublemaker and they have had issues with him in the past.
"I've only really known him for the last six months and he's been very threatening," said one neighbor. "He told me has a gun and if anyone breaks into his yard...he would shoot them."
It was not immediately clear what lead up to the shooting, and the force investigative department was taking over the case.
"They will also be interview witnesses, capturing any video and also talking to the officers that were involved to find out exactly what lead up to the officer-involved shooting," said LAPD Lieutenant Chris Ramirez.
Police did not say who else may have been involved in the dispute or what led up to it.
"Thank goodness nobody else got hurt and I thank the police for doing the job that they do because they are amazing, and it's a shame it had to happen but he was very threatening," the neighbor said.
The suspects identity was not immediately released. No officers were injured in the shooting.