Armed Suspect Fatally Shot by Police in South Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES—Police shot and killed a man June 28 who allegedly fired gunshots near where officers were conducting a traffic stop in the Manchester Square area, and investigators were working to determine if the gunman was targeting the officers or someone else.

The shooting occurred at about 12:50 a.m. near Florence and Western Avenues, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

“Officers were conducting a traffic stop for a red-light violation in the area of Western Avenue and Florence Avenue when officers heard and saw a male fire several shots,” police said in a statement several hours after the shooting.

“Officers returned fire [and] the suspect … was struck by gunfire,” police said. “The Los Angeles Fire Department responded and pronounced the suspect deceased at [the] scene. A firearm … was recovered at [the] scene and will later be booked as evidence. Who the suspect’s intended target [was] is under investigation.”

Police had earlier said that as the officers were conducting the traffic stop, the suspect had approached them on foot and opened fire on them, prompting them to return fire.

The suspect was about 25 years old, police said. Information on his identity was not immediately available. No officers were injured during the shooting.

During the investigation, officers discovered an illegal marijuana dispensary, police said, adding that approximately six people inside the dispensary were detained and transported to the police department’s 77th Street station.

The investigation was ongoing.