Suspect Shot By LAPD Officers During Downtown LA Traffic Stop

LOS ANGELES, CA — Police shot and wounded a suspect -- armed with what turned out to be a replica handgun torch lighter -- during a confrontation in downtown Los Angeles, authorities said Saturday.

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department's Central Division stopped a Nissan Sentra for a vehicle code violation at 3:30 a.m. Friday at Eighth Street and Gladys Avenue, according to an LAPD statement.

The officers contacted the car's occupants, the driver and the front passenger. They spotted a pistol grip between the legs of the passenger, Angel Elijah Cruz, 38, according to the statement. The officers ordered Cruz not to move.

Officers were notified by the department's Communication Division that the car was reported stolen as they were giving the two occupants directions, police said.

"Additional officers and a supervisor arrived at scene while Cruz was given several commands not to reach for the handgun," according to the police statement. "Cruz disregarded the officers' commands and raised the pistol grip of an object, resembling a handgun, resulting in an officer- involved shooting."

Cruz was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody without incident. It was later discovered that the handgun was a replica handgun torch lighter with a pistol grip.

Cruz was taken to a hospital with stable vital signs by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, according to an LAPD official at the scene. The driver was taken into custody without incident.

The replica pistol was booked as evidence, police said. Cruz was subsequently arrested on suspicion of "draw/exhibit an imitation firearm."

No officers or bystanders were injured during the shooting.

— City News Service