Man killed by LAPD officers after he allegedly charged at them with knife is identified

The Los Angeles County coroner has identified a man shot and killed by LAPD officers in Lincoln Heights on Wednesday.

Luis Molina Martinez, 35, was shot and killed by officers after he allegedly charged at them with a large hunting knife, police said. The officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave until the incident is investigated, LAPD officials said.

The move is standard procedure when officers use deadly force in the field, said Det. Meghan Aguilar.

It was not immediately clear how many officers fired Martinez, who was pronounced dead in front of his home about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The confrontation started with a frantic 911 call from the Martinez’s wife, who told dispatchers her husband was stabbing himself, Aguilar said.

When deputies rushed to the woman’s home in the 3400 block of Manitou Avenue, Martinez appeared and was still holding the knife, police said. Officers told him to put the knife down but he charged at them instead so they opened fire, Aguilar said.

The identities of the officers who fired may be released after Chief Charlie Beck is briefed on the incident early next week, officials said.

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