Man Dies in Hospital After Police Shooting at Venice Coffeehouse

A man who was shot by Los Angeles police after allegedly advancing on officers with a knife at a Venice coffeehouse on Monday has died, authorities said today.

It happened about 2 p.m. Monday on the patio of Groundwork Coffee Co., 671 Rose Ave. Jason Davis, 41, died at a hospital about 8 p.m. Wednesday, coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter said.

A witness said Davis sat down on the patio but then turned and began vomiting. He had been drinking from a bottle of black liquid, the witness -- an employee of the coffeehouse -- told a reporter at the scene.

When a store manager came out to talk to Davis, he became unruly and pulled out the knife, prompting a call to police, the employee said.

Arriving officers were directed to Davis, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.

“Officers observed Davis sitting at a table in the patio area, armed with a knife,” a police statement said.

“They began giving commands for Davis to drop the knife, however he refused to comply,” police said.

“Davis stood up and began to aggressively approach the officers. One officer deployed a Taser, however it did not have an effect on Davis. Davis continued his advance on officers while still armed with the knife and an officer-involved shooting occurred,” police said.

The shooting is being investigated by the LAPD’s Force Investigation Division, the Office of the Inspector General and a shooting team from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division.

Anyone with information on this shooting was asked to call the LAPD’s Force Investigation Division at (213) 486-5230. Tipsters can also call the LAPD’s 24-hour tipline at (877) LAPD-24-7, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. All tips can be made anonymously.

City News Service, Photos: Anthony Blatt ‏@djabatt