Authorities Investigating Fatal Shooting on Los Angeles Freeway

LOS ANGELES - State authorities are conducting an investigation after a California Highway Patrol officer shot and killed a man in the middle of a Los Angeles area freeway during a struggle. The deadly encounter took place on Sunday afternoon on Interstate 105 in south LA County, after multiple calls were made reporting a male pedestrian walking in the westbound lanes, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A one-minute video, captured by a bystander and posted on social media, reveals the horrifying incident. In the beginning of the video, an officer is seen on top of another person engaged in a physical altercation. As the struggle intensifies, a shot is fired, causing the officer to abruptly stand up while the other man falls limp onto the pavement. The officer proceeds to fire at least four shots at the prone man, who remains motionless while the officer keeps his gun drawn.

The Los Angeles County medical examiner's office has confirmed the death but has not released the victim's identity pending family notification. The cause of death has also not been disclosed. The California Department of Justice is now handling the investigation, as is customary with fatal police shootings.

Ed Obayashi, a use-of-force expert who investigates police shootings in California, urges caution when drawing conclusions solely from the video footage. Obayashi emphasizes the importance of understanding why the officer approached the pedestrian without any backup nearby, considering the availability of law enforcement in the area. He also raises questions about whether the man was armed and what kind of threat the officer perceived during the incident.

According to reports, around two dozen motorists called 911 to report the man walking on I-105, a major freeway that passes through South Los Angeles communities and ends at L.A. International Airport. Prior to the confrontation, the CHP had temporarily halted traffic in one direction. The officer involved in the shooting has yet to comment, and it remains unclear what led up to the incident or whether the man was armed.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to uncover more details surrounding this disturbing event.