A man wielding what appeared to be a rifle was fatally shot by Santa Ana Police officers on Sunday evening. The Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) confirmed that the incident took place around 5:30 p.m., at the intersection of Broadway and 2nd Street in downtown Santa Ana. The weapon was later determined to be a replica rifle, as reported by KTLA.
Following multiple calls about a man supposedly loading ammunition into a firearm, officers were dispatched to the scene. A confrontation occurred between the officers and the suspect, during which the man was shot, based on information provided by the SAPD shared by FOX LA. Immediately after the incident, he was rushed to a local hospital but eventually succumbed to his injuries.
The identity of the man, described as being in his early 30s, has not been disclosed. Details of the events that led up to the fatal shooting remain limited, with official sources not elaborating on what transpired before the officers opened fire or whether the suspect had posed an imminent threat to the public or himself.
The aftermath of the shooting was indicated by dozens of evidence markers on the street, captured in aerial footage from SkyCal. Broadcast by CBS Los Angeles, a video showed a large taped-off area outside what seemed to be an apartment building. No bystanders or officers reported injuries as a result of the incident. Moreover, the state Attorney General’s office has decided to take up an investigation into the police shooting as well, signaling the gravity of the situation.
The Santa Ana Police Department indicated that their investigation into the shooting is ongoing and updates will be provided in due course. Meanwhile, the section of the street where the shooting occurred was expected to remain closed for several hours to facilitate the investigation.
