Holly MatkinLos Angeles, CA – A gunman who opened fire on a group of people, grazing a 14-year-old boy in the head, was fatally shot by police after he broke into a woman’s home and took her hostage on Friday night (video below).
The incident began at approximately 4:10 p.m. on Oct. 8, when police received multiple calls that an armed man was committing an array of offenses in the area of Broadway and 8th, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said in a series of tweets later in the night.
The gunman allegedly held a firearm to a man’s face and pulled the trigger at one point, but the weapon did not fire, police said.
The suspect then stormed into a business located in the 700-block of Broadway and opened fire on three people who were inside.
One of the bullets grazed a 14-year-old boy in the side of his head, according to police.
The suspect ran back outside and unsuccessfully attempted to carjack a woman who was standing by her vehicle before he took off on foot headed towards the area of Spring and 7th, the LAPD said.
He proceeded to attack a bicyclist at that location, leading to a physical confrontation.
The bicyclist told police that he “saw the suspect reach into his waistband where he was still armed with a gun,” according to the LAPD.
Security officers who were in the area were able to flag down responding LAPD officers and pointed out the suspect as he ran into an apartment complex located at Main and 6th, police said.
“The officers established a perimeter and began requesting additional resources including K9 and SWAT,” the LAPD said. “While a tactical plan was being put in place, officers became aware of surveillance footage from inside the apartment complex.”
The cameras captured images of the gunman forcing a woman to come with him, police said.
“At that point, we knew we had a hostage situation,” the LAPD said.
Officers were able to see the suspect through a window as he held a gun to the hostage’s head, according to police.
A neighbor directly across from the apartment recorded the incident and posted the footage to Twitter.
“Based on the already incredibly violent actions & fearing the suspect was going to kill the hostage, SWAT entered the apartment,” the LAPD said.
The gunman was shot by police in the ensuing exchange of gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The female hostage was transported to a local hospital.
Her condition is unknown.
The 14-year-old boy who was grazed by a bullet was rushed to a local hospital and is expected to survive, the LAPD said.
Watch the incident unfold in the video below. Warning – Graphic Content and Obscene Language:
HOLY SHIT! I was in the building across from the DTLA shooting / hostage situation today. Viewer discretion advised 😳 #dtlashooting pic.twitter.com/4jarInQX2X
— ᴛᴇᴅᴅʏ ₿ᴏᴍʙᴇʀ 💣 (@_teddybomber) October 9, 2021
