Deadly Police Shooting In Studio City Appears To Be Case Of Suicide-By-Cop, Beck Says

STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — A deadly police shooting that unfolded in Studio City last week was more likely a case of suicide-by-cop, Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck said.

"The only conclusion that we can come to at this time is that this was a suicide-by-cop," Beck said while addressing a wide-range of topics during a media availability on Wednesday.

The man killed has been described by police as a 44-year-old man.

Police allege that the man strapped a fake bomb to his body, ignored orders to drop his weapon and pointed a gun at officers, according to Claudia Peschiutta of KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO.

The man was shot and killed in the July 24 incident along a busy stretch of Ventura Boulevard.

Beck said suicide-by-cop incidents are on the rise and urged families and service providers to be on the lookout for warning signs.

Rev. Andy Bales, the CEO of the Union Rescue Mission, told Peschiutta the man had moved out Thursday, but there was no indication he was suicidal.

Photographs of a gun and images of a candle with flames that spelled out R.I.P were recently posted to what appears to be the man's Facebook page, reported Peschiutta, who added he didn't appear to have friends added on the social media site.

"I can tell you that his family shared with me that he was in severe physical pain, and I know that is a very difficult thing," he said.