The homeless man shot dead by police in a struggle captured on video Sunday was reaching for an officer’s weapon, the Los Angeles police chief says.
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said Monday the fatal shooting of a homeless man was a terrible tragedy that could only have been avoided if the man had not "forcibly grabbed" an officer's gun.
Damian Dovarganes / AP
The Los Angeles Police Department shared photos at a news conference that showed the handgun's slide partially engaged, a round partially out, and its magazine dislodged.
"This is indicative of a struggle over a weapon," Beck said.
Beck added that Sunday's shooting will be reviewed by the LAPD, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office, and the civilian police commission.
In addition to the video a bystander posted on Facebook, Beck said officials would look through "dozens" of surveillance cameras and two body cameras worn by officers.
"You can hear the young officer who was primarily engaged in the confrontation saying that 'He has my gun. He has my gun.' He says it several times, with conviction," Beck said.
LAPD released photos Monday that Chief Beck said showed the man reaching for the officer's handgun in his waistband during the fatal struggle.
LAPD
The LAPD is currently testing body cameras in a pilot program, and officials have committed to eventually rolling them out to all officers.
"That offers a unique perspective that we believe will be crucial to determining the propriety of the officers' actions," Beck said.
He added that the body camera videos, as well as other evidence, would be released upon the completion of the various investigations.
SOURCE: BuzzFeed
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