Eight Los Angeles police officers fired more than 90 rounds at an unarmed 19-year-old man who had led them on a high speed freeway pursuit and called 911 to threaten them with a gun, authorities said.
The shooting played out on live television after Abdul Arian refused to pull over when police tried to stop him for erratic driving. He led police on a chase onto the 101 Freeway, where he stopped in dramatic fashion — turning his car and stopping across eastbound lanes.
He jumped out of the car and ran. Then he turned and appeared to run backwards. Police said he assumed a “shooting stance” and appeared to raise his arms and appear to point a weapon, prompting them to open fire, killing him.
No gun was found at the scene, but police released statements Arian made to a 911 dispatcher in which he claims he has a weapon and makes it clear that he’s not afraid to use it.
“I have a gun,” Arian said.
“I’ve been arrested before for possession of destructive devices; I’m not afraid of the cops.”
He also said: “If they pull their guns, I’m going to have to pull my gun out on them.”
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/04/police-90-rounds-101-freeway.html
