San Diego

More than 100 pedestrians and shoppers watched as a 51-year-old man waved a knife at bystanders and three police officers in front of Horton Plaza Thursday morning, authorities said.

Police arrested Herman Edward Moore of the 1100 block of J Street, reportedly after he threatened one man with a knife and taunted police officers to “shoot me,” police spokesman Bill Robinson said.

Moore was booked into County Jail on suspicion of two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

The incident began at 10:15 a.m. when Moore asked Michael Wayne Smith, 31, of the 1100 block of Broadway, for a cigarette. Moore became hostile when Smith told Moore to get his own cigarettes, Robinson said.

Police said Moore then began chasing Smith into Broadway, waving a knife with a 3-inch blade. Police Officers Thomas Boerum and Jim Tucker, members of the Police Department’s downtown walking team, responded. Smith was not injured, officials said.

Boerum and other officers told Moore several times to drop his knife, Robinson said. Moore came within 10 feet of the officers, continued to plead with them to shoot him, then threw his weapon down, Robinson said.