State authorities are investigating a deadly encounter that occurred on Sunday afternoon when a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer shot and killed a man in the middle of a Los Angeles area freeway. The incident, which was captured on video, occurred after the highway patrol responded to multiple calls of a male pedestrian walking in the westbound lanes of Interstate 105 in south LA County.
According to a statement from the CHP, a struggle ensued during the officer’s contact with the pedestrian, leading to the officer-involved shooting. The identity of the deceased individual has not been released pending family notification, and the cause of death has not been determined.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office has confirmed the death and stated that an investigation is underway. The California Department of Justice, which typically investigates fatal police shootings, is leading the investigation.
A one-minute video recorded by a bystander and shared on social media shows the officer on top of the other person as they grapple in the middle of the closed freeway. A shot is then fired, causing the officer to quickly get up while the other man falls to the ground. The officer proceeds to fire at least four shots at the motionless individual.
Ed Obayashi, a use-of-force expert, has cautioned against making conclusions based solely on the video. He highlighted the importance of understanding why the officer approached the pedestrian without backup nearby and whether the man posed a threat. The investigation will also seek to determine if the individual was armed and what led the officer to perceive a need to shoot.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to gather more information and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
