L.A. deputies shoot and kill man who allegedly assumed 'shooting stance' and pointed fingers at them

LOS ANGELES — An unarmed man who matched the description of an armed robbery suspect was killed in the Florence area today when he allegedly assumed a “shooting stance” and pointed his index fingers at deputies, who shot him, authorities said.

The shooting occurred about 4:30 a.m. near 64th Street and Holmes Avenue, said sheriff’s Deputy Grace Medrano.

The man died at the scene. His name was withheld pending family notification.

Century Station deputies went to the location regarding a “robbery in progress” call, Medrano said.

“The caller described the suspect (as) wearing a black hoodie sweatshirt, black shorts and having a black handgun,” Medrano said.

“When deputies approached the area, they saw a man that matched the description in the call standing by himself next to a pay phone,” Medrano said. “When the suspect became aware of the deputies’ presence, he took a two- hand shooting stance, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.”

A weapon has not been recovered, Medrano said.

Sheriff’s Lt. Eddie Heandez told reporters the man “took a shooting stance -- something that you would see in a training film, where you place your hands ... in front of you, and bring your two index fingers together. And that’s when the deputies fired.”

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