Man Dies After Officers Hit Him With 'Less Lethal' Rounds In San Pedro: LAPD

SAN PEDRO, CA — A vandalism suspect died after officers shot him with less lethal ammunition in San Pedro early Tuesday morning, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police responded to the 700 block of West Channel Street around 2:30 a.m. Thursday after someone reported a robbery at a convenience store.

There, officers saw 34-year-old Roger John Nielsen vandalizing the convenience store and began talking to him, the LAPD said in a statement.

That's when Nielsen grabbed a piece of plexiglass from a sign he damaged, according to police, who said they believed the 34-year-old was trying to equip himself with some sort of weapon.

Officers used a 40mm less lethal launcher against Niesen, shooting him in the chest with the projectiles, the LAPD said.

The officers walked toward Nielsen who placed himself on the ground and surrendered, according to the LAPD. Police said they took him into custody after a brief "non-categorical use of force." It's unclear whether police used force after Nielsen surrendered or if the LAPD is referring to the use of less-lethal rounds against him.

After they arrested the 34-year-old, he was taken by Los Angeles Fire Department to a local hospital, where he died died, police said.

An officer was also treated for a dislocated finger that happened during the use of force, police said.

The LAPD's Force Investigation is currently investigating Nielsen's death, which has been categorized as an "in-custody death." An in custody death refers to when someone dies while under police custody or while under the supervision of law enforcement.