Machete-Wielding Man Shot by LAPD Officer Near Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles
By Tim Pulliam | Monday, July 14, 2025, 6:48 AM
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — A man armed with a machete was critically injured after being shot by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers near Crypto.com Arena on Sunday morning. The tense confrontation, which followed a brief pursuit and an aggressive encounter with law enforcement, was witnessed and recorded from a nearby high-rise.
Incident Details
Shortly after 9 a.m., officers responded to reports of an assault involving a deadly weapon at the intersection of Figueroa Street and Olympic Boulevard. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect waving a large machete and chanting while flashing the weapon at passersby.
Upon arrival, officers encountered the man who reportedly charged at them wielding the machete. During the confrontation, the suspect entered a black Dodge Challenger and briefly led officers on a short pursuit through the area. The pursuit involved the suspect driving in circles around patrol vehicles and in the process, he collided with one police car.
The suspect then stopped and exited the vehicle still armed with the machete. According to LAPD Detective Meghan Aguilar, the man charged again at officers. In response, two officers fired their weapons, striking and critically injuring the suspect.
Official Statement
Detective Aguilar explained the challenging decisions law enforcement must make in such volatile situations, noting the severity of the threat posed by the suspect’s large edged weapon. "You can only give so many warnings, and each officer has to make a decision based on their training and their experience when they constitute using deadly force, in regards to whether it is a handgun or an edged weapon," Aguilar said. "Again, this was a very large machete. The behaviors of the individual were very aggressive and violent."
The machete was recovered at the scene, and the injured man was immediately transported to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition but is under medical care.
Area Closure and Investigation
The segment of Figueroa Street between Pico Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard was temporarily closed as LAPD conducted their investigation into the incident. Witness footage has been aiding investigators in piecing together the sequence of events.
Community Reactions
The incident has raised concerns about safety in the busy downtown area near Crypto.com Arena, a popular destination for both locals and visitors. LAPD continues to emphasize the importance of officer training and quick decision-making in situations that pose immediate danger to both the public and police personnel.
For ongoing coverage and updates on this developing story, stay tuned to ABC7 Los Angeles.
Related Topics: Downtown LA, LAPD, Police Shooting, Officer-Involved Shooting, Car Chase, Crypto.com Arena
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