Armed Prowler Suspect Points Handgun at Officers

Los Angeles: An armed prowler suspect was shot and killed by LAPD police officers after leading them on a short foot pursuit and then pointing a handgun at them.

On February 19, 2011, at about 9:25 a.m., Northeast Area Patrol officers along with a supervisor responded to a radio call of a “Prowler Suspect There Now,” in the 1200 block of Westmoreland Avenue.

When three arrived on scene they saw the suspect trying to leave the area. He was later identified as 49-year-old David McMahon. Officers gave McMahon commands in an attempt to detain him, but McMahon ignored their orders and led officers on a short foot pursuit.

As McMahon was running west on Fountain Avenue, additional Northeast Area Patrol officers arrived on scene to assist. As they drove their black and white police vehicle westbound on Fountain Avenue they caught up to McMahon and stopped near him. They got out of their police car and ordered McMahon to stop and go to his knees. McMahon stopped and turned toward the officers and pointed a handgun at them, at which time an officer involved shooting occurred. Three of the officers fired their duty weapons at McMahon, striking him multiple times.

McMahon was transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

One officer was injured by bullet fragments and was treated and released from a local hospital for those injuries.

McMahon was currently on parole for possession of a controlled substance. The handgun he was armed with, was recovered and booked into evidence.

Force Investigation Division personnel responded to the scene and are conducting the officer involved shooting investigation.

Northeast Area Detectives are investigating the prowler complaint.