Downtown suspect shot after striking LAPD officer with pole

Los Angeles police shot a 48-year-old man who was suspected of robbery in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. Authorities stated the suspect struck an officer with a metal pole before being hit by gunfire.

Central Division officers arrived near East Fourth and Omar streets shortly before 1:30 p.m. after receiving a report about a robbery suspect. An LAPD air unit located Bernard Deshawn Douglas, who was holding a four-foot metal pole equipped with a bladeless tree-pruning shear on one end and a four-foot tree branch on the other.

The department said Douglas refused verbal commands to drop the items. He turned toward the officers and lifted the objects above his head. Officers discharged 40mm less-lethal rounds, but the department noted the rounds did not stop him.

Douglas moved toward an officer and struck the left arm and shoulder of the cop with the pole. Officers then fired their guns. Douglas was hit by the shots and attempted to walk away from the scene.

An officer used a Taser, which caused Douglas to fall. He was taken into custody without further issues. Fire Department paramedics transported him to a hospital, though his condition was not disclosed. The injured officer was also treated at a hospital and released.

No bystanders were hurt in the incident. Police recovered the pole and branch as evidence. The LAPD Force Investigation Division is reviewing the shooting.