LAPD taser deployment causes suspect to hit his head after an unprovoked attacked to an individual

On July 7, 2022, at 6:13 p.m., Newton Patrol Division officers responded to a report of a male possibly suffering from a stab wound in front of a local restaurant in the 7100 block of South Broadway Street. When the officers arrived, they were directed to the suspect, who was located a short distance away and was appearing to challenge another male to a fight. The investigation later determined that the suspect punched this individual in the face without provocation.

As the officers approached the men to investigate, the suspect stepped into the roadway, raised his fists in a fighting stance and began walking toward the officers while yelling obscenities. The officers gave the suspect several commands to stop and warned that a TASER would be utilized if he did not comply. Despite that warning, the suspect continued to advance toward the officers with his fists raised. As the suspect closed the distance to the officers, one of the officers deployed his TASER, striking the suspect on his front torso. The suspect fell backwards at that point and struck his head on the pavement. He was then taken into custody without further incident.

As a result of his fall, the suspect sustained a laceration to the back of his head. He was treated at scene by Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics and transported by rescue ambulance to a local hospital, where he was admitted for observation. The suspect also sustained a non life threatening laceration to his upper chest area from an unrelated incident.

Neither of the officers sustained injury during this incident.

The male victim who was assaulted by the suspect was not injured.