Vagrant shot by LAPD after he rushed at them with a disposable fork

On February 3, 2024, at 2:14 p.m., Central Division uniformed officers responded to a radio call of an “Assault with a Deadly Weapon,” at the 600 block of Towne Avenue. The comments of the call indicated the suspect was under the influence and armed with a stick threatening employees.

When officers arrived at the location, they met with the Person Reporting (PR). The PR stated the suspect entered the business on the 4th floor of a warehouse, located at the 800 block of East 7th Street and told the PR to leave the location. The PR, who was in fear, left the business and contacted the police. The PR told the officers the suspect had access to sharp items and metal objects inside the business. The PR signed a Private Persons Arrest for Trespass and directed the officers to the 4th floor.

Once on the 4th floor, the officers observed the suspect inside the business and ordered him to exit with his hands up. The suspect initially complied then turned and charged toward the officers with a white object protruding from the bottom of his clenched right hand, which was held at chest level. The officers deployed less lethal toward the suspect, which was ineffective. The suspect continued to advance toward the officers with the object still clenched in his right hand.

The suspect was struck by gunfire and brought to the ground, where he was taken into custody without further incident. The officers rendered aid to the suspect until the arrival of the Los Angeles Fire Department personnel. The suspect was transported by rescue ambulance to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The object possessed by the suspect, believed to be a knife, was later determined to be a white plastic fork. The suspect has not been identified.

The item was recovered at scene and booked as evidence. No other community members were injured as a result of this incident. A supervisor, who was with the officers when the incident occurred, sustained a laceration to his right hand. The supervisor was treated for his injury at a local hospital and released.