Los Angeles, CA – A tense and chaotic standoff in the heart of downtown Los Angeles ended in gunfire on Thursday afternoon when LAPD officers shot and subdued a man wielding a machete who had stopped traffic and threatened bystanders near the intersection of Figueroa Street and Olympic Boulevard.
The dramatic encounter unfolded in front of stunned drivers and pedestrians in one of the busiest areas of the city, not far from major sports arenas, hotels, and commercial centers. What began as a 911 call about a man blocking the roadway escalated into a life-threatening confrontation that forced officers to draw their weapons and ultimately discharge them.
A 911 Call That Sparked Panic
The first reports came shortly after midday when a caller frantically dialed 911 to report a man acting erratically in traffic.
“There is a guy with a machete… stopping the traffic and threatening people,” the caller said. “He parked his car in the middle of the street, and he’s screaming. He looks Indian… He has brown shorts on. I think it’s a black Mustang, maybe a Charger. He’s trying to get people to kill him.”
The operator tried to gather more details, asking about clothing and location, while in the background the caller could be heard panicking as the man moved toward other vehicles. Moments later, police dispatchers relayed the information to responding patrol units.
A Dangerous Standoff
By the time officers arrived, the suspect had already drawn attention by swinging his machete in the street, challenging drivers, and shouting incoherently. Witnesses said he appeared agitated, pacing back and forth near his car, a black muscle car left parked across lanes of traffic.
Police tried to establish verbal contact, but the man reportedly ignored commands to drop the weapon. Instead, he advanced toward officers, forcing them to draw their service pistols.
Dispatch audio captured the escalating tension:
- “Stand by, stand by, he’s moving now—stay in the car!”
- “Pursuit, Figueroa, south of Olympic, suspect in a black Charger, armed with a machete.”
- Seconds later: “Shots fired! Officer needs help!”
The suspect ran in erratic circles around the vehicle, at one point lunging at officers and allegedly trying to grab one officer by the vest. Officers could be heard shouting “Crossfire! Crossfire!” as they repositioned, signaling to one another to avoid firing into their own lines of movement.
Gunfire, Tasers, and Final Arrest
Multiple officers fired their weapons when the suspect refused to stop advancing. He was struck, though it is not yet clear how many times or where. Despite his injuries, the man continued to resist, forcing officers to deploy a taser.
“Don’t move! Don’t move!” one officer can be heard yelling, as others cautiously moved forward with ballistic shields to disarm him. The machete was eventually secured, and the suspect was taken into custody.
Paramedics were immediately called to the scene, and the man was transported to a local hospital. His identity has not been released, and his current condition remains undisclosed.
Witness Shock and Community Reaction
The incident caused widespread panic among commuters and residents. Traffic came to a complete standstill as officers blocked intersections, while helicopters circled overhead.
Maria Lopez, a driver who was stopped at the light during the standoff, described the scene:
“At first, I thought it was some kind of protest. Then I saw the machete. He was screaming and waving it around like he wanted people to attack him. It was terrifying. Everyone in their cars was just ducking down and hoping the police could stop him before he hurt someone.”
Others in the neighborhood said the gunfire echoed through the streets, causing nearby shops and restaurants to lock their doors.
LAPD Statement and Ongoing Investigation
Hours later, an LAPD spokesperson confirmed the shooting and stressed that officers were confronted with an immediate and deadly threat.
“Officers gave multiple commands for the suspect to drop the weapon. When he refused and moved aggressively toward officers, force was used to protect the community and themselves. This was a dangerous situation involving a large machete, heavy traffic, and numerous civilians nearby,” the statement read.
As with all officer-involved shootings, the incident is now under review by the LAPD’s Force Investigation Division and the Office of the Inspector General. Body-worn camera footage will be examined to determine the sequence of events, and the case will ultimately be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for independent evaluation.
Broader Context
The case raises questions about the intersection of public safety, mental health, and police tactics. Experts note that incidents involving machetes and other large blades are rare but extremely dangerous in urban environments. Unlike firearms, machetes require close proximity, which can lead to volatile encounters where officers have seconds to react.
Over the past decade, LAPD has expanded training in de-escalation, crisis communication, and less-lethal tools such as beanbag shotguns and tasers. Still, officers emphasize that when an armed suspect charges at them or civilians, split-second decisions must be made.
Professor David Hernandez, a criminology expert at Cal State LA, commented:
“Encounters like this are exactly why body cameras and independent oversight are crucial. The public deserves transparency, but we must also acknowledge that officers were put in a position where hesitation could have cost lives.”
Looking Ahead
As investigators sift through witness statements, surveillance footage, and radio transmissions, downtown Los Angeles is returning to normal. But for many, the sight of armed officers taking cover behind vehicles and the sound of gunfire on a weekday afternoon will linger.
The LAPD has urged anyone with cellphone footage of the incident to come forward, promising a full and transparent review. Meanwhile, community leaders are calling for calm and for more resources to address mental health crises before they escalate into violent confrontations.
For now, one man is in the hospital, a busy intersection is left with bullet casings and shattered nerves, and a city once again finds itself grappling with the delicate balance between public safety and the use of deadly force.
