Public Safety
Gardena traffic stop ends in fatal police shooting
Sheriff's detectives are investigating after a Gardena officer shot a driver during a late-night traffic stop on West Rosecrans Avenue.
A Gardena police officer stopped a driver for an alleged vehicle-code violation in the 2100 block of West Rosecrans Avenue at about 11:05 p.m. Friday, according to an initial account released Saturday by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
LASD describes exchange of gunfire
The department said the officer saw a handgun within the driver's reach and ordered him not to take it. LASD says the man picked up the weapon, left the vehicle and fired at officers before at least one officer returned fire. Those circumstances come from law enforcement's preliminary account; the investigation remains open.
Driver died after hospital transport
Officers and county firefighters provided medical aid before the man was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities had not released his name. LASD said a handgun was recovered and no officers or bystanders were injured.
Read the official advisory: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department →