Los Angeles Police officers fatally shot a man who was holding what they suspected to be a screwdriver but turned out to be a plastic fork. The body-camera footage capturing the events of February 3 has been made public this week.
The fatal encounter, which took place in a downtown warehouse, has sparked an inquiry into the actions of one of the involved officers regarding the use of lethal force, authorities announced on Tuesday.
The individual shot has been identified as 36-year-old Jason Lee Maccani.
Footage from the body cameras revealed the confrontation, during which officers confronted Maccani, who was purportedly holding an object that appeared sharp and exhibited signs of intoxication.
In the video footage, law enforcement officers can be heard instructing the individual to raise his arms. While initially appearing compliant, he continues to walk with tightly clenched hands around what the officers believed to be a screwdriver.
Despite the officers' efforts to restrain him, they were unsuccessful. The man then advanced toward the officers, prompting them to discharge their firearms.
As per reports, the suspect seized one of the officers and her beanbag shotgun, leading to the officer-involved shooting.
The incident unfolded following a report of an "assault with a deadly weapon" at a warehouse in Los Angeles. The caller alleged that the man, purportedly under the influence of drugs, was menacing employees with a stick.
The man succumbed to his injuries at a hospital after being shot.
Fortunately, none of the police officers sustained injuries during the confrontation.
