California Highway Patrol Officer Fatally Shoots Pedestrian Walking on 105 Freeway

A distressing video has surfaced capturing a California Highway Patrol officer shooting a pedestrian following a struggle in Los Angeles, according to the Daily Mail.

The incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon when police responded to reports of a pedestrian walking in and out of traffic on the I-105 at Wilmington Avenue.

Footage from a witness reveals an officer on the ground engaged in a struggle with the pedestrian. Shockingly, the officer fires at the individual at least three times until they cease movement.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the person's demise Monday, withholding identification pending family notification. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Why Did the California Highway Patrol Officer Shoot the Pedestrian?

The California Highway Patrol responded to the freeway around 3:15 PM on Sunday following numerous calls reporting a man walking through traffic near the Wilmington Avenue exit.

A confrontation unfolded between a trooper and a pedestrian, resulting in an officer-involved shooting, according to CHP.

Authorities, as heard on the Citizen mobile app's audio recording, asserted that the man deployed a Taser at the officer, prompting the use of lethal force, Yahoo! News noted.

In a video capturing the incident, a California Highway Patrol officer is seen grappling with another individual on the pavement amid what seems to be a closed section of the freeway.

After a few seconds of the struggle, a gunshot is heard, with a bullet bouncing off the pavement near the prone man.

Subsequently, the officer stands and fires at least four more shots at the individual, who remains motionless on the ground.

The man lies still for the duration of the one-minute video while the CHP officer remains at the scene with his weapon drawn.

State Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) expressed deep concern about the video, calling it "deeply disturbing."

He urged transparency from the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Justice, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.

Bradford also called for community patience during the inquiry and highlighted the importance of maintaining calm while seeking answers.

California Highway Patrol Officer Under Investigation

The CHP has directed all inquiries regarding the incident to the California Department of Justice, indicating that they handle investigations into police shootings where unarmed individuals are killed.

Ed Obayashi, a use-of-force expert who investigates police shootings for law enforcement agencies in California, cautioned against making hasty conclusions based solely on the video footage, AP reports.

He emphasized that investigators will scrutinize why the officer approached the pedestrian without the presence of a partner or backup nearby, especially considering the ability to close the freeway, suggesting the likelihood of other law enforcement in the vicinity.

The investigation is expected to delve into critical questions, such as whether the pedestrian was armed and the rationale behind the officer resorting to lethal force after standing up and disengaging from the struggle.

Obayashi highlighted the need to determine the perceived threat by the officer, asking, "Was there a knife? Or a stun gun?"

These are critical factors that investigators will examine to understand the context of the incident.

While the California Highway Patrol officers are not mandated to wear body cameras, the agency utilizes in-car cameras, which may provide additional perspectives on the events leading to the officer-involved shooting.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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