Armed Suspect Shot, Killed By Officers In South Gate
SOUTH GATE (CBSLA.com) — An officer fatally shot a man in South Gate after responding to a disturbance call on Saturday night.
The incident unfolded around 10:08 p.m. as officers were dispatched to a report of a man and woman fighting in the 9200 block of San Luis Avenue near Southern Avenue.
Upon arriving on scene, officers attempted to make contact with the man, who they were told was armed with a handgun.
Raw Audio: Sgt. Discusses Officer-Involved Shooting In South Gate
"As the officers attempted to detain the man, he ran away continually grabbing at his waistband area," L.A. County Sheriff's Sergeant Richard Peña told KNX 1070's Ed Mertz.
"The suspect suddenly turned back towards officers and fearing that he had armed himself, an officer-involved shooting occurred," the sergeant said.
The man was transported to a local hospital where he died. His name has not been released.
CBS's Art Barron spoke to people who heard the gunshots.
Carlos Cajina was watching TV when he heard the gunfire -- he said about nine shots in total.
"My first instinct was to get on the ground," he said.
Police told Barron that they also fired at the suspect after he grabbed at his waistband and after a stun gun failed to subdue the man.
Raphael Velazco said he heard the suspect crying out asking if police were going to get him help.
He says police waited 30 minutes to get the man aid and he believes the man might still be alive if police got him help faster.
"Thirty minutes for paramedics to arrive is way too long," he said.
Velazco also said the weapon that the suspect was holding was allegedly scissors -- not a gun.
When the suspect's mother found out about the shooting, she came to the location and was escorted by neighbors into a house just a few feet from where the shooting occurred.
An investigation was underway.
