Police Shooting Shuts Down 101 Freeway: Sigalert

LOS ANGELES, CA — A person died after being shot by police on the 101 Freeway Thursday morning in an incident that completely shut down the freeway outside of downtown Los Angeles.

The California Highway Patrol received a report at around 7:30 a.m. that a pedestrian — possibly armed with a hammer or a gun — was on the northbound freeway just north of Fourth Street in Boyle Heights, according to the CHP.

At some point after police responded, at least one officer opened fire on the pedestrian, according to police.

The person was transported to a local hospital and was later pronounced dead, KTLA reported.

The California Department of Justice later announced it had taken charge of the investigation.

Both sides of the freeway were shut down at Fourth Street following the shooting.

The southbound lanes reopened at around 8:40 p.m.

The northbound freeway remained closed between Fourth Street and First Street over five hours later.

Additionally, the Whittier Boulevard on-ramp, the westbound 60 Freeway connector and the eastbound 10 Freeway connectors remained closed.

Aerial footage aired by KTLA showed crime scene tape and several CHP vehicles on the freeway. Authorities diverted northbound traffic at Fourth Street during the investigation.

City News Service contributed to this report.