Police Shoot Man They Allege Was Brandishing Knife In Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Police have shot a man who they say was threatening people with a knife in Hollywood.

The shooting Wednesday on Lexington and Sycamore avenues unfolded after officers say they received calls reporting a man who was threatening to commit suicide and was talking gibberish.

Police also said they were told the man had brandished a knife.

When officers arrived, police say the suspect refused to put his knife down.

Police said officers requested a Taser and a bean bag shotgun, but none were available. Officers then shot the suspect.

"Cops got out with guns drawn. They said something to the man. I was too far to actually hear what they said and I was blocked off from actually seeing him on the ground at that point," Phillip Lievschutz, a witness, said.

"But I do see he got up, he lunged into the street in the direction of the police and gunshots were fired. Six or seven. And he went down and was shot," he said.

When asked whether he saw the suspect with a knife in his hand, Lievschutz said: "I didn't see a knife in his hands, but after the fact, there was a knife lying in the street close by to where he was."

But Lt. John Jenal of the LAPD said the knife was present with the suspect.

"A knife has been recovered and a knife was with the suspect at the time the passersby saw him and he did brandish that knife leading the people that were passing by to be very concerned for their safety at one point and also for the suspect's safety," the lieutenant said.

Police said the suspect is undergoing surgery and is in critical condition. No bystanders nor officers were injured.