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Police shoot man allegedly armed with knife outside Venice coffee shop

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Los Angeles police shot a man Monday afternoon outside a Venice coffee shop after he allegedly refused to drop the knife he was holding, authorities said.

About 2 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of Rose Avenue near Groundworks Coffee Co. following a report of disorderly conduct by a man carrying a knife, Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman Officer Jane Kim said.

Officers ordered the man to drop a knife and he did not comply with officers’ commands, prompting police to open fire, said LAPD Officer Rosario Herrera.

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It’s unclear how many gunshots were fired or where the man was struck.

A witness who declined to be identified told The Times that police fired twice at a man who appeared to be homeless. Video of the moments immediately following the shooting were shot by a bystander and posted on social media. The video showed a man lying on the ground, lightly waving his hands above his head before officers turned him over and handcuffed him.

The man was taken to the hospital in unknown condition and is undergoing surgery, Herrera said. At some point after police arrived, they called for backup, Kim said.

Prior to Monday, the LAPD had shot 21 people this year. Ten of those people were killed, including two people who were fatally shot by officers last week.

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This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno.

Times staff writer Kate Mather contributed to this report.

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