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.
NOTE TO SELF: Don't take socket wrench to a gunfight.
Do not take a beeber stuner to a gunfight.
NOTE TO SELF: never run from the law and then charge them.
The police will get raked over the coals for the man's stupidity.
If they were Border Patrol, they'd be looking at 20 years.
Never take a crack pipe to a gunfight.
Way to socket to him.
Any video links?
Glad they killed the idiot.
Did Steven Spielberg direct this action piece?
The different camera/s angle/s, the lighting.
Definitely a good shoot.
He wanted them to think it was a gun. He gambled and lost. Idiot.
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