Man Killed During Confrontation With Police In San Pedro Identified

SAN PEDRO, CA — Additional details were released Friday about a domestic violence suspect who was shot to death by police after he was accused of trying to disarm officers in San Pedro.

Two officers were injured during the confrontation that began at 9:40 p.m. Wednesday when officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's Harbor Division were called to an apartment in the 500 block of West 37th Street, near South Pacific Avenue, regarding a domestic violence situation and restraining order violation, according to the LAPD.

"Upon arrival, officers met with the victim, who advised the officers that the suspect, later identified as 39-year-old Lawrence Gonzales, was inside her apartment," police said.

Officers encountered Gonzalez inside the apartment and tried to detain him, according to the LAPD.
Gonzalez "refused to comply with the officers' command to turn around and place his hands behind his back," police stated.

"The officers approached Gonzales, who physically resisted their efforts to detain him," according to the LAPD. "The physical resistance escalated into a violent confrontation where Gonzales attempted to disarm the officers, resulting in an officer-involved shooting."

Police did not disclose how many officers opened fire, nor how many shots were discharged.
Los Angeles Fire Department personnel took Gonzalez to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"Both officers received bruises, cuts and scrapes from this incident and were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries," police said.

The shooting is under internal LAPD investigation along with the California Department of Justice.

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