LOS ANGELES (AP) – Three Los Angeles police officers shot and killed a man on the city’s Skid Row as they wrestled with him on the ground, a confrontation captured on video that millions viewed online. Authorities say the man was shot after grabbing for an officer’s gun.
After the shooting, police are seen drawing their batons and warning an angry crowd to step back. Several people shouted at the officers, accusing them of going too far.
Sunday’s violence had echoes of the August police shooting of 25-year-old Ezell Ford, whose death in a struggle with LA officers brought demonstrations in the city. Ford was unarmed. Police said he was shot after reaching for an officer’s gun.
Witnesses told the Los Angeles Times that the man was known on the street as “Africa,” but his race was unclear from the video, which showed most of the figures in shadow.
The witnesses said the man had been on Skid Row for four or five months, living amid the tents, sleeping bags and trash that are common in the area where many of the city’s homeless stay.