Man With Hair Spray Can Shot to Death : Deputy Mistakes It for Possible Weapon in W. Hollywood Incident

Mistaking a can of hair spray for a possible weapon, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy shot and mortally wounded a 24-year-old man stopped for routine questioning early Tuesday in West Hollywood, investigators said.

The man, whose name was withheld pending notification of relatives, died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center four hours after he was shot by Deputy Robert Harms, 27.

Asked Destination

The Sheriff’s Department said Harms and his partner, Deputy Scott Graham, 26, were driving in the 8700 block of Sunset Boulevard at 3:45 a.m., when they saw an apparently disoriented pedestrian walking in the street near a water project that had been isolated with traffic cones.

Investigators said the deputies asked the man where he was going and warned him of an open manhole.

As he approached the patrol car, the man allegedly said in a threatening tone: “I have something to show you,” and reached into a pocket of his jacket.

Flash of Metal When he withdrew his hand, Harms saw a flash of metal and fired his service revolver, wounding the man in the abdomen.

Harms and Graham later found that the man, who wore facial makeup and carried a purse, had reached for a can of hair spray. They also found a cigarette lighter in the man’s other hand.

Sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Robert Stoneman said lighted hair spray can be a “very dangerous weapon.”

Investigation Begun

While the shooting is being investigated by sheriff’s homicide detectives, Harms is expected to be reassigned to non-field duties.

Results of the inquiry will be turned over to the district attorney’s office.

West Hollywood Mayor Valerie Terrigno said Tuesday that she will await the results of the investigation before making an assessment.

“It appeared that the deputy thought his life was threatened,” she said.