Police Shoot Robbery Suspect They Say Struck Officers With Metal Pole

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 48-year-old robbery suspect was hospitalized after being shot by Los Angeles police officers who said he struck an officer with a metal pole in downtown Los Angeles, authorities said Sunday.

The shooting occurred shortly before 1:30 p.m. Saturday near East Fourth and Omar streets, where Central Division officers responded to a report of a robbery suspect, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

An LAPD air unit directed officers to the suspect, identified as Bernard Deshawn Douglas, who was carrying a roughly four-foot metal pole with a bladeless tree-pruning shear attached to one end and a four-foot tree branch, police said.

Douglas allegedly refused commands to drop the objects, turned toward officers and raised them above his head. Officers fired 40mm less-lethal rounds, but they were ineffective, according to the department.

Police said Douglas then advanced toward an officer and struck the officer on the left arm and shoulder with the metal pole, prompting the shooting.

Douglas was struck by gunfire and attempted to walk away, police said. An officer deployed a Taser, causing him to fall to the ground, and he was taken into custody without further incident.

Officers provided medical aid until Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived and transported Douglas to a hospital. His condition was not immediately disclosed.

The injured officer was treated at a hospital and released.

No bystanders were injured, police said.

The metal pole and tree branch were recovered as evidence.

The LAPD's Force Investigation Division was investigating the shooting.