A suspect accused of stabbing a man was shot by a Los Angeles police detective in the Westlake District on Tuesday. The plainclothes detective witnessed the attack near Alvarado Street and Olympic Boulevard and intervened when the suspect allegedly failed to comply with demands to drop the weapon, as reported by ABC7. The man, now in stable condition, was taken into custody and later hospitalized for gunshot wounds.
Driving near the downtown area, the detective saw an assault in progress around 11 a.m. and opened fire, striking the assailant, KTLA reports. Following the shooting, the victim of the stabbing was also transported to the hospital with serious injuries and is listed in critical condition. Witnesses on a nearby Metro bus may have observed the altercation, and officials reported that the bus was equipped with cameras that could provide additional details of the incident.
The LAPD's Force Investigation Division is looking into the shooting, with officers recovering not only a knife but also brass knuckles from the scene, according to CBS Los Angeles. The department has not released the names of those involved, but the suspect is said to be a 42-year-old man. The investigation prompted road closures in the area as detectives collected evidence and information.
Officer Jay Chaves, when discussing the presence of the bus at the scene, mentioned that "the bus was involved to the extent that there were people we consider witnesses and there was also surveillance on the bus that may have captured the video." This statement came despite initial reports claiming the Metro bus was uninvolved, as reported by FOX LA. The LAPD is currently attempting to gather video footage from the bus and other nearby sources, including a Waymo vehicle that was present during the shooting. The Westlake community awaits further details as the investigation continues.
