Man Points Gun at Officer and is Shot

Los Angeles: A man who pointed a handgun at an LAPD officer was shot and killed.

On January 4, 2008, at about 2:15 a.m., Officer Peter Mah, working a crime suppression detail targeting burglary from motor vehicle crimes, saw the suspect stopped at a lumberyard loading unidentified bags into his vehicle.  Officer Mah in full police uniform, driving an unmarked police car, continued to monitor the suspect while requesting a back up.

After a few moments the suspect drove away and Officer Mah followed him.  The suspect quickly realized that the officer was following him and suddenly stopped his vehicle in the 1800 block of Sawtelle Boulevard and got out.  He turned and walked toward Officer Mah while pointing a small caliber handgun at him. 

Officer Mah had also exited his vehicle and identified himself as a police officer.  When the suspect failed to lower his weapon as ordered, an officer involved shooting occurred.   

The suspect, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was hit multiple times and died at scene from his injuries.

It was discovered that the suspect's weapon was actually a cigarette lighter that simulated a small caliber pistol.

Officer Mah was not injured.

Force Investigation Division is handling the investigation.

Comments

[Ed O'Shea]

Glad your Ok Pete!

[Dis and Dat]

It sounds like the suspect had a death wish, walking up to a uniformed officer while pointing a gun lighter. Officer Mah, you performed as you were trained. Good job...and thanks for saving the City from a drawn-out trial. "At the sound of the horn....attention!!!"

[Centurion]

Never bring a knife..oops... a lighter to a gun fight.

Mah, good job.