Man Killed by Own Gun During Struggle With Los Angeles Police Officer

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles police are alleging May 13 that a man was shot to death by his own handgun when he attempted to point it but was stopped by officers during a traffic stop.

The shooting was reported at 11:04 p.m. Friday on Central Avenue at 74th Street, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Officer Matthew Cruz told City News Service.

A Newton Division patrol officer made the stop, he said. The officer’s name was not disclosed.

An LAPD news release explained the officers pulled over the vehicle for a traffic violation.

“As the driver exited the vehicle, he armed himself with a black, semi-automatic handgun,” the release said. “One of the officers attempted to restrain the driver, who attempted to escape the officer’s hold, lunging himself forward. During the brief struggle, the driver discharged his handgun and sustained a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to his neck and immediately fell to the ground. Officers moved the handgun away from the driver and handcuffed him.”

Paramedics took the wounded suspect to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Cruz said.

The man’s name was withheld pending notification of relatives. He was believed between 30 and 35 years old.

A loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun and a single-spent 9mm casing were recovered at the scene, police said.

The shooting was under investigation, Cruz said. No officers were injured.

The LAPD’s Force Investigation Division was investigating the shooting.