Man Fatally Shot during Fight with Police

July 26, 2010

Los Angeles: A man was shot and killed during a scuffle with a Los Angeles police officer on July 21 in San Pedro.

According to investigators, a patrol unit was called out to investigate a prowler call in the 500 block of McDonald Avenue shortly after midnight.  The officers spotted a man matching the description of the prowler a block away near E Street and McDonald Avenue.  When they approached the man, later identified as 40-year-old Pedro Gonzalez Santacruz, he turned and started punching the officer.  A fight broke out.  The injured officer’s partner Officer Eric Johnson, 11 years and 6 months on with the Department, believed that the suspect was stabbing his partner and fired his weapon.

Paramedics rushed Santacruz to Harbor UCLA Medical Center where he died as a result of his injuries. The wounded officer was also taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released after suffering injuries to his head and hand.

The officer involved shooting is being handled by LAPD’s Force Investigation Division.