Police Kill Man, Disperse Angry Crowd

More than 80 police officers converged on a Watts neighborhood Saturday after police shot and killed a man who they said was threatening them with knives.

The incident drew a crowd of about 300 onlookers, many of whom jeered angrily until police and sheriff’s deputies formed a skirmish line and peacefully dispersed the crowd.

The shooting occurred about noon after police received a call about a man attempting suicide at the Jordan Downs public housing project. According to Los Angeles police spokesman Sgt. Glenn Krejci, officers found the bloodied man--whom they believed to be on PCP or a similar illegal drug--walking through the complex stabbing himself in the neck and head with two large butcher knives.

Attempts to subdue him through talking and use of pepper spray and a Taser gun failed, and the two officers shot the man after he charged at them with the knives outstretched, according to Krejci.

“The officers began approaching him, and he turned and began charging them with the knives,” Krejci said.

The incident was witnessed by 25 children playing football in a nearby athletic field. Krejci said they would be provided with psychological counseling.

“I’m concerned about them,” said Daryl Carter, who was coaching the game for the Jordan Downs Football Club. “Those kids are going to have nightmares.”

Earlier Saturday, an off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a man who he believed was trying to steal his car, Los Angeles police said.

The deputy was driving in Baldwin Hills about 3:30 a.m. when he was approached by a gunman, said Lt. Al Moen. The deputy opened fire as the man reached for a handgun, which was recovered, Moen said. The names of the deputy and the dead gunman were not released.