A man wielding a knife was shot and killed by Los Angeles Police on Thursday in the Koreatown area after officers were called to a mental health situation, authorities reported. The incident took place in the 400 block of South Gramercy Place shortly after 10:30 a.m., where police were summoned to assist Department of Mental Health clinicians at an apartment, as per an LAPD statement posted on X.

The LAPD described the man as in his 40s. When the officers engaged with him at the apartment, "they were met by the suspect, described as a male in his 40s, who was armed with a knife," and after an encounter, an officer-involved shooting occurred where the suspect was struck by the gunfire. Traffic was disrupted for hours around Gramercy between 4th and 5th streets following the shooting, reported LAPD PIO.

As detailed by KABC, the man was pronounced dead at the scene, and no other injuries were reported. Emotional turmoil spilled onto the streets when the suspect's brother spoke to reporters, alleging that the police "wrongfully killed" his brother. 

Authorities continued interviewing witnesses to piece together the events that unfolded and indicated that bodycam footage would be reviewed, per KTLA report. Meanwhile, a heartbroken family member claimed to KCAL that mental health professionals were present before law enforcement's arrival. Still, the man was confronted directly by officers, resulting in his death before a knife was recovered from the scene.

The shooting is currently under investigation, and the LAPD has not released further specifics on what prompted the officers to use lethal force. An appeal has been made to the public, urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and contact the police, as noted in the coverage by CBS Los Angeles.