LAPD Involved in Shooting During Encounter With Armed Suspect in Downtown Los Angeles

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21 (KNN) — A shooting occurred involving the Los Angeles Police Department when they encountered an armed suspect at an apartment building Tuesday evening in Downtown Los Angeles.

According to preliminary information from the LAPD, the incident unfolded around 8:40 p.m. when patrol officers from LAPD’s Central Division responded to an assault with a deadly weapon radio call at an apartment in the 400 block of East 5th Street.

Additional information regarding the incident was stated in a news release by the LAPD Thursday morning.

“The comments of the call indicated that the suspect, later identified as 42-year-old Anthony Franks, threatened his neighbor with a gun,” the LAPD added.

When the officers arrived at the location, the person who called the police informed the officers that Franks had pointed a gun at her, according to the news release.

It was during the brief encounter with the person who reported the incident, that Franks emerged from the doorway of his apartment with what appeared to be a pistol, later determined by the LAPD to be a projectile launcher, according to the release.

Franks then pointed and fired the weapon at the officers and the person who reported the incident, which resulted in an officer-Involved shooting, according to the LAPD.

The LAPD said the suspect was not struck by gunfire and immediately retreated back into his apartment where he briefly barricaded. Officers were able to communicate with the suspect by phone and convince him to surrender. After approximately 30 minutes, he was taken into custody without further incident

“A weapon (in the appearance of a semi-automatic pistol) capable of firing .50 caliber rubber balls and a jar of .50 caliber rubber balls were recovered at scene. Additionally, a Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun was also recovered from Franks’ apartment,” stated the LAPD. “All items were booked as evidence.”

According to the LAPD, no officers or community members were injured during this incident.

The area of East 5th and Wall streets was closed for several hours during the investigation. LAPD also reported that “Force Investigation Division (FID) investigators responded to the scene and are investigating this incident.”

Zak Holman, Video Journalist / KNN