Los Angeles police shot and killed a man allegedly armed with a knife in Koreatown after his parents called the county Department of Mental Health (DMH) to his home, authorities said Friday.
Just before 11 a.m. Thursday, officers responded to a call in the 400 block of South Gramercy Place and assisted DMH officers who attempted to apprehend a man at 5150, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. They then opened fire after seeing Mr Yongyang, 40, armed with a large kitchen knife.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s investigative unit is currently investigating the fatal shooting.
DMH authorities were attempting to place Mr. Yang under 5150 detention for 72 hours to undergo testing and treatment on suspicion of attempting to assault one of them. A Los Angeles Police Department statement regarding the shooting said Yang has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder with schizoaffective disorder and displayed what police described as “erratic and threatening behavior.” , the parents said they initially called health officials. Mr. Yang was not a resident of the house where his parents lived.
When police were called, DMH officials were already completing paperwork to place him in custody at 5150, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. A DMH ambulance was attempting to transport him to a nearby medical facility for treatment before officers arrived.
Upon arrival, officers met with DMH personnel outside the home. Police said they decided to request more police units and supervisors and notified DMH’s evaluation department.Aerial footage shows at least eight police cars at the scene.
“We made several attempts to communicate with Mr. Yang and ask him to leave the residence, but he refused,” Los Angeles Police Department officials said in a statement.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the officers obtained the keys to the house, climbed the narrow steps leading to the front door, announced their arrival, and attempted to use the keys to open the front door. At that time, the suspect reportedly saw Yang standing several feet away in the living room, holding a large kitchen knife.
“Shortly thereafter, Yang advanced toward the officers, resulting in officer-involved gunfire,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement. “Mr. Yang was struck by gunfire and dropped the knife, but was taken into custody without incident.”
Police said paramedics arrived a short time later and pronounced the man dead at the scene.
Police said an 11-inch kitchen knife with a 6-inch blade was found at the scene.
No other injuries were reported from the incident. Los Angeles Police Department has not released any other details.
