Pursuit Ends in Shooting

Los Angeles: A 45-year-old man was shot by a Los Angeles police officer after the man charged police at the end of a 15-minute pursuit last night, December 26, 2006.  The still unidentified man died on the way to the Northridge Hospital.

"This was very unfortunate, but it appears the driver's erratic actions were greatly influenced by narcotics," said LAPD spokesman Lieutenant Paul Vernon.  "The man charged at the officers while holding an object and simulating a gun.  He closed in on the officers, mimicking a shooting stance, to within a car length before one officer fired."

It was reported during the pursuit that the driver could be seen lighting and smoking a coke pipe.

The pursuit began around 9:45 P.M. when two motor officers, assigned to a police car due to impending rain, noticed the man driving erratically in a red Chevy truck.  When the officers tried to pull over the truck, it took off.

Officers made several attempts to deflate the tires with spike strips, and the third or fourth attempt brought the car to a stop on Woodley Avenue, north of Sherman Way. The end of the pursuit which occurred around 10:00 P.M., was broadcast live on the local news.

Officer Tim Olsen, 31, and a 10-year LAPD veteran assigned to the Valley Traffic Division, fired at the charging driver, who dropped a metallic object from his hand as he fell.

Detectives from the Force Investigation Division worked through the night interviewing officers and witnesses, and processing evidence. Investigators preliminarily identified the dropped object as a spark plug socket.  "Looking down the opening, such an object would resemble the barrel of a gun," Vernon added.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office will be responsible for identifying the man.  It will also conduct toxicology tests to determine the level of intoxication and what type of drugs were involved.

Comments

[Pete Malloy]

Great job LAPD. Thank god no officers or citizens were injured. The officers did exactly what they are taught to do. Lets hope the system doesnt try to hang them out to dry just because some idiot wanted to die by forcing the officers hand.

[Centurion]

What's that old saying? Never bring a knife...I mean...a spark plug to a gun fight.

Ofcr Olsen is fortunate the whole OIS was caught on TV. It clearly demonstrates the suspect's action, simulating a gun, caused Ofcr Olsen to fear for his life and his partners' lives.

Hang in there Ofcr Olsen. The suspect is the one to blame for the OIS.

[MyCousin]

I wonder if the ventilated perp was inspired by the Long Beach shooting in which 2 LBPD Officers were shot.

The same tactics were used. Both perps stopped their vehicles, charged the police and then assaulted them. Assault the assaulters. A tactic the Military uses.

Hopefully the Chief of Police, Police Commission and D.A. calls this one a good shoot.

[Anne]

How long before someone in the guy's family holds a press conference (with their lawyer?) It's amazing how these lowlifes turn into good honest, church going family men after they're dead, when it's time to sue the LAPD.

I wouldn't want to be a cop in LA and have all of that pressure on me.

[DLH]

It was unfortunate but, the officer can't be blamed on this one. The guy clearly can be seen jumping out of the truck and reaching towards his waist band area and then assumming a shooting position as he is running towards the police car. The guy basically made up his mind he wanted to die that night.

[K Stone]

DLH - why is it unfortunate that the officers cannot be blamed? What kind of person is looking to find fault with adults who get up and leave their families every day to protect us? How much easier is it for us to look for the good in them, than for them to look for the good in us, when we only show them our worst choices every day? Still, they don't go to work assuming the worst in us... Did you really mean that the way it sounded?