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US police shoot homeless man dead in Los Angeles US police shoot homeless man dead in Los Angeles
(about 1 hour later)
A video has captured the moment US police shot and killed a homeless man after an altercation in downtown Los Angeles.A video has captured the moment US police shot and killed a homeless man after an altercation in downtown Los Angeles.
The graphic film shows a violent struggle between the man and several officers in the city's Skid Row area.The graphic film shows a violent struggle between the man and several officers in the city's Skid Row area.
As the police try to subdue him, a voice is heard shouting "Drop the gun!" Seconds later, five gunshots ring out.As the police try to subdue him, a voice is heard shouting "Drop the gun!" Seconds later, five gunshots ring out.
Police are yet to confirm whether the man was armed.Police are yet to confirm whether the man was armed.
The incident took place in Los Angeles's notorious Skid Row district, which has a large homeless population.The incident took place in Los Angeles's notorious Skid Row district, which has a large homeless population.
Police spokesman Sgt Barry Montgomery told the LA Times that officers had been responding to reports of a robbery in the area.Police spokesman Sgt Barry Montgomery told the LA Times that officers had been responding to reports of a robbery in the area.
He declined to say how many officers were involved in the incident but confirmed that none had been injured. He did not identify the dead man.He declined to say how many officers were involved in the incident but confirmed that none had been injured. He did not identify the dead man.
The BBC's Alastair Leithead in LA says it is unclear from the video what exactly happened, but police would be allowed to use deadly force if the man had a weapon.The BBC's Alastair Leithead in LA says it is unclear from the video what exactly happened, but police would be allowed to use deadly force if the man had a weapon.
LA police commander Andrew Smith said that at some point there had been a struggle over one of the officer's weapons.
He told the LA Times newspaper that no other gun had been recovered at the scene.
Tensions
The president of LA Police Commission, Steve Soboroff, told the BBC that it was important to investigate the facts before making any conclusions.
"I would just encourage and pray that people not rush to judgement. It isn't fair to anyone. It's not fair to the family of the victim, to the victim's memory or to the officers," he said.
Last year, highly publicised killings of black men sparked weeks of protests in the US.Last year, highly publicised killings of black men sparked weeks of protests in the US.
The shooting dead of Michael Brown - an unarmed black 18-year-old - by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, last August sparked protests across the US.The shooting dead of Michael Brown - an unarmed black 18-year-old - by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, last August sparked protests across the US.
Tensions were further inflamed in January when police in New Jersey were caught on camera shooting dead a black man as he stepped out of a car with his hands raised.Tensions were further inflamed in January when police in New Jersey were caught on camera shooting dead a black man as he stepped out of a car with his hands raised.