Police Shoot, Injure Knife Wielding Suspect

From LADowntownNews.com

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - Police on Sunday shot a knife-wielding man near Seventh and Los Angeles streets after witnesses said he had been brandishing the blade in front of a retail store.

The suspect, 73-year-old James Proctor, was shot in the stomach and is expected to survive his injuries, police said.

Officers were flagged down by a woman around 4:40 p.m. on Los Angeles Street. According to police, the officers viewed a knife in the man's rear pants pocket and requested backup. Several units responded.

Officers say they tried to communicate with Proctor, giving him numerous orders to turn away from them and put his hands above his head, but he refused to comply. According to police, Proctor suddenly grabbed the knife from his rear pocket with his right hand, while turning his upper torso toward the officers. At that point the suspect was hit, simultaneously, by gunfire, a beanbag shotgun and Taser.

"This all occurred simultaneously," said Central Area Capt. Horace Frank. "Whatever movement he did required the officers to respond."

Per LAPD protocol, the incident is now under review by the Force Investigation Division. None of the officers involved were hurt.