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LA police shoot man at end of chase as he runs toward them
AP vis CoCoTimes ^ | 12/27/6

Posted on 12/27/2006 5:20:26 PM PST by SmithL

LOS ANGELES - A man who was videotaped running at police following a San Fernando Valley car chase was shot to death when an officer apparently mistook an item he was holding for a gun, authorities said Wednesday.

The man, 45, was pronounced dead at a hospital. His identity was not immediately released.

Police spotted a truck moving erratically in Van Nuys shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday, police Lt. Paul Vernon said. When officers tried to stop the car, the driver fled, leading police on a short chase, he said.

The driver appeared to be under the influence of drugs, and officers "saw him lighting his crack (cocaine) pipe and smoking" during the pursuit, Vernon said.

The 15-minute chase ended when spike strips blew out the truck's tires.

Television news videotape showed the man jumping out of the truck and advancing at officers.

He went "charging back" at officers who were about three car lengths back, Vernon said.

As he ran, the man several times appeared to take something from his waistband and adopt a "shooting stance," Vernon said.

A 10-year veteran shot the man when he was about a car's length away, Vernon said.

The officer apparently believed he had seen the barrel of a gun in the man's hand. However, officers later discovered he was holding a socket used to remove spark plugs, Vernon said.

The officer will be placed on administrative duty pending an internal investigation of the shooting, Vernon said.


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: lapd

1 posted on 12/27/2006 5:20:29 PM PST by SmithL
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NOTE TO SELF: Don't take socket wrench to a gunfight.


2 posted on 12/27/2006 5:20:42 PM PST by SmithL (Where are we going? . . . . And why are we in this handbasket????)
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To: All

Do not take a beeber stuner to a gunfight.


3 posted on 12/27/2006 5:22:13 PM PST by BipolarBob (Yes I backed over the vampire, but I swear I didn't see it in my rear view mirror.)
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To: SmithL

NOTE TO SELF: never run from the law and then charge them.


4 posted on 12/27/2006 5:22:32 PM PST by Number57 ("Don't quote Dickens in my apartment!"~ Joe Young)
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To: SmithL

The police will get raked over the coals for the man's stupidity.


5 posted on 12/27/2006 5:23:49 PM PST by oyez (Why is it that egalitarians act like royalty?)
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To: oyez

If they were Border Patrol, they'd be looking at 20 years.


6 posted on 12/27/2006 5:26:51 PM PST by outdriving (Diversity is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.)
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To: SmithL
Maybe he was armed with his trusty ol' crack pipe.

Never take a crack pipe to a gunfight.

7 posted on 12/27/2006 5:27:37 PM PST by SIDENET (Everybody was kung-fu fighting)
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To: SmithL

Way to socket to him.


8 posted on 12/27/2006 5:31:29 PM PST by MaxMax (God Bless America)
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To: SmithL

Any video links?


9 posted on 12/27/2006 5:39:26 PM PST by pissant
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To: pissant
Any video links?

Try this:

10 posted on 12/27/2006 6:17:33 PM PST by SmithL (Where are we going? . . . . And why are we in this handbasket????)
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To: SmithL

Glad they killed the idiot.


11 posted on 12/27/2006 6:20:16 PM PST by pissant
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To: SmithL
I must say, that was some kind of video coverage.

Did Steven Spielberg direct this action piece?

The different camera/s angle/s, the lighting.

Definitely a good shoot.

12 posted on 12/27/2006 7:02:46 PM PST by battlegearboat
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To: SmithL
However, officers later discovered he was holding a socket used to remove spark plugs, Vernon said.

He wanted them to think it was a gun. He gambled and lost. Idiot.

13 posted on 12/27/2006 9:29:24 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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