Los Angeles, CA – A brief police pursuit in South Los Angeles ended in an officer-involved shooting on April 23, 2025, in the Watts neighborhood. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the man was considered “armed and dangerous” and was shot after reaching into a backpack at the conclusion of the chase. Upon further investigation however, no gun was present in the man’s backpack.
Incident Details
The shooting occurred just before 2:30 p.m. on April 23, 2025, in the middle of Central Avenue, south of the 105 Freeway in the Watts neighborhood. Following a brief vehicle pursuit that started in Nickerson Gardens, the man fled on foot, and at some point reached into a backpack, prompting one officer to open fire. However, investigators did not find a gun in the backpack, and the man would be taken to the hospital in serious condition.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Use of Force by Police in California
Under California law, specifically AB 392, police officers may only use deadly force when “necessary” to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious injury. The law also requires officers to use de-escalation tactics whenever feasible.
Families affected by police shootings have legal options if the use of force is believed to be unjustified. Under 42 U.S. Code § 1983, civil rights claims may be pursued for excessive force or wrongful death if constitutional rights were violated.
Seeking Accountability for Officer-Involved Shootings
We at the Sehat Law Firm were disturbed to learn of this incident in Watts.
If your loved one was harmed or killed during a police encounter, you have the right to seek answers—and justice. At The Sehat Law Firm, we specialize in representing families in cases involving wrongful deaths caused by police and jail negligence. We investigate each incident thoroughly and fight to ensure public officials are held accountable under the law.
Contact us at (949) 825-5200 or complete the form at the bottom of this page for a free, confidential consultation.
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and so may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.
