Fleeing Unarmed Man Shot to Death by Officer

A police officer fatally shot an unarmed man early Monday after he ran from police and then appeared to be reaching for a weapon, Torrance authorities said.

Police said they received a complaint Monday that a man was knocking on doors along 179th Street, asking for money and trying to get into cars. He was seen leaving as a passenger in a yellow Pinto.

After police later stopped the car, the man left the vehicle and ran to the front of 20346 Hawthorne Blvd., where he tried to climb a wall, police said. He then reached for his waistband, said Torrance Detective Lt. Wally Murker.

“He was told to stop, to hold it,” said Murker. “He refused to.” An officer, whose name was not released, fired three rounds at the man, police said. The man was pronounced dead at Little Company of Mary Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Police did not release the victim’s name Monday, pending notification of relatives.