A man, reportedly suffering from mental illness and accused of assaulting family members, was shot by Los Angeles Police Department officers during a confrontation in Sylmar. The incident unfolded Saturday afternoon when officers were dispatched to the 14000 block of Foothill Boulevard after a distress call about the individual.
Det. Meghan Aguilar of the LAPD said the call reported that "a male adult had harmed family members that lived in the apartment and so police responded," as reported by KABC. The subject, a male in his 20s or 30s, who was not a resident but was visiting relatives, was found inside the apartment brandishing a knife. Officers established a perimeter and summoned SWAT for reinforcement.
After SWAT arrived, negotiations with the barricaded man ensued but were unsuccessful. The suspect later emerged in the building's courtyard, still carrying the large kitchen knife. According to an LAPD Public Information Officer post, "Around 8:00 p.m., the suspect came to a courtyard of the building armed with a large kitchen knife; at which time an Officer-Involved Shooting occurred."
SWAT attempted to negotiate with the suspect who was barricaded in the apartment. Around 8 pm, the suspect came to a courtyard of the building armed with a large kitchen knife; at which time an Officer-Involved Shooting occurred.
— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) March 10, 2024
The man was struck by police gunfire, and subsequently taken to a nearby hospital where he is listed in critical condition. Police confirmed, as detailed in their statement, that all family members involved in the incident were able to exit the apartment unharmed.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting are under active investigation, and the knife wielded by the suspect remains at the scene, according to LAPD PIO.
