80-Year-Old Man in Shootout Killed Self, Officials Say
An 80-year-old man who died in a shootout with a police officer Saturday was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot, officials said Sunday.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Deputy Edward Ramirez said autopsy results revealed that Verland Franks of El Segundo shot himself in the upper torso.
Franks faced off with El Segundo police about 8:45 a.m. Saturday at his house in the 600 block of West Sycamore Avenue.
Franks, who was carrying a gun in each hand, ignored an officer’s order to drop his weapon, sheriff’s officials said. The officer, who was not identified, and Franks then fired at each other, authorities said.
The policeman has been put on temporary leave during the investigation. Sheriff’s officials said Franks’ relatives told authorities that Franks had been suicidal since the death of his wife several years ago.
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