An officer-involved shooting investigation is underway in the Hollywood Division of the Los Angeles Police Department, following an encounter with a suspect on October 3rd, LAPD reported. The incident took place near the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, specifically around the Hollywood Pool, after patrol officers responded to reports of an armed man.
LAPD officers arrived at the scene where they engaged the suspect, identified as Darrel Morgan, who was seen with an item tucked in his waistband despite officers giving verbal commands, Morgan ignored them and opted to flee on foot, prompting a chase, where officers briefly lost sight of him, yet the air support helped them to relocate Morgan at Vine Street and La Mirada Avenue. According to the department's press release, Morgan was holding an object that resembled a handgun.
An officer-involved shooting occurred when Morgan allegedly pointed the object, which later turned out to be a gold and dark metallic lighter fashioned like a Luger Pistol, at the arriving officers. Morgan was not hit by the gunfire and continued to flee but was eventually apprehended a block north in the 1300 Block of North Vine Street. The LAPD confirmed that no officers or civilians were hurt during the altercation and the misleading lighter was recovered as evidence.
The LAPD's Force Investigation Division has taken the lead on the ongoing investigation to gather more details surrounding the incident.
