Man killed by LAPD in Reseda had revolver with 6 spent shells, police say

The Los Angeles Police Department has released more information about the armed man officers shot and killed in Reseda on Sunday after he allegedly opened fire on a police helicopter.

The man, whose identity has not been released, who was reported to be “trespassing, while armed with a handgun, and shouting obscenities” in the 6400 block of Reseda Boulevard Sunday evening, police said in a news release.

“An LAPD air unit arrived overhead and observed the suspect armed with a handgun,” the release explained. “From the air unit, the Tactical Flight Officer directed the suspect, via the public address system, to drop the handgun. Instead, the suspect pointed and fired his handgun at the air unit, which prompted a help call to be broadcast.” 

When officers found the man in an alley near an apartment complex, they told him to drop the gun, then used a 40 mm less-lethal launcher when he refused.

The man then pointed his six-cylinder Smith & Wesson revolver at officers, prompting at least one to open fire, police said.

While no officers were struck by the multiple rounds fired their way, the man was hit and fell to the ground. He was declared dead at the scene.

Police say they recovered the revolver, which had six fired cartridge casings in its cylinder.

No members of the public were hurt.