Culver City police kill unarmed man in Venice
Culver City police shot and killed an unarmed man in Venice early Saturday after he allegedly refused to follow orders and reached for his waistband, authorities said.
The shooting occurred just after midnight at California Avenue and Frederick Street, where officers had stopped a car the man was riding in after following it from Culver City. They were awaiting backup units before making the stop.
The vehicle matched the description of a car that reportedly had left a crime scene where a person had been assaulted with a deadly weapon, said Deputy Derrick Thompson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities did not disclose the time or location of the assault.
A male passenger got out of the car but refused to comply with orders, Thompson said. “At some point, he made a movement causing the officer to fear for his life and resulting in an officer-involved shooting,” Thompson said.
He did not say how many officers were involved or how many shots were fired. He said a firearm was found inside the car, but did not know who it belonged to. Thompson said two other men in the car were taken into custody.
Sheriff’s deputies were assisting Culver City police with their internal investigation.
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ari.bloomekatz@latimes.com
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