Man shot by LAPD after hitting officer with metal bar in downtown LA

A madman wielding a metal bat was shot by police on downtown Los Angeles after charging at cops and striking an officer during a violent broad-daylight attack Saturday.

The showdown erupted around 1:25 p.m. Saturday, when LAPD Central Division patrol officers responded to a radio call reporting a robbery near 4th Street and Omar Street.

When officers arrived, they encountered an adult male armed with a metal bar in one hand and a long tree branch in the other. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, the man refused to comply.

“Officers gave the suspect multiple commands to drop the weapon, which he failed to comply [with],” LAPD said. “Officers deployed less lethal foam rounds to no effect.”

The suspect then charged at officers, smashing one with the metal bar.

Police then opened fire on the man, who was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital.

The injured officer was also hospitalized. Both were listed in stable condition, according to police.

The metal bar was recovered as evidence, and no other injuries were reported.

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LAPD described the information as preliminary, adding that the investigation remained in its early stages.

“There is no ongoing threat to the community,” the department said.