Lakewood deputies use Taser, shoot man they say charged at them with knives
The man allegedly told deputies to shoot him as he charged at them with a knife in each hand, according to the LASD.
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputies shot a man they say refused to put down a pair of knives as he walked toward them in Lakewood.
According to a statement from the LASD, deputies responded around 9:46 a.m. to the 5900 block of South Street where the man was reportedly swinging around a knife at someone.
Deputies arrived and located the suspect, who was holding a knife in each hand, the LASD said.
The deputies tried to get the man to drop the knives, but he refused, they said.
Instead, he began walking toward the deputies while telling them to shoot him, according to the LASD.
The deputies used a Taser to try to subdue the suspect but he continued walking toward them, the LASD said. That‘s when at least one deputy shot him multiple times, they added.
The suspect, who was not identified was taken to a local hospital where he’s in critical but stable condition, according to authorities.
No other injuries were reported, the LASD said.
An investigation by multiple agencies, including the state Office of the Inspector General, will determine whether the deputies' actions were within protocol.
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