On Monday night, around 9 p.m., near the Valley Boulevard in the city center of El Monte, Los Angeles County, a man reportedly armed with a weapon was shot and killed by the police while trying to evade capture.
According to reports from various sources such as KTLA and ABC, the suspect attempted to flee police pursuit after being caught shoplifting at a Target store in El Monte. The man was accompanied by a woman, and they were asked to return the stolen goods before leaving the store. However, for unknown reasons, the man returned to the store front and brandished a gun when denied entry.
Before the authorities arrived, the suspect drove away in a car. After the police intercepted the vehicle, the man fled on foot and was subsequently shot by the police. Details of the incident are still unclear. The man was pronounced dead at the scene with a gun found nearby; the woman in the same car was detained. No other individuals were injured in the altercation.
Despite occasional criminal incidents in Los Angeles County recently, local residents feel much more at ease, unlike the high level of concern for public safety on the eve of Christmas last year. Nearby, Chinese lawyer Longzhu Liu stated that he feels there has been a significant improvement in local security compared to the same period last year.
“Firstly, due to policy reasons, many police officers were inactive before; secondly, Los Angeles County changed its district attorney – Nathan Hochman’s policy focuses on punishing criminals, rather than targeting the police as before.” Liu Longzhu feels that the current social atmosphere has caused criminals to restrain themselves and avoid confrontation with law enforcement.
Regarding the El Monte shooting incident, Liu Longzhu finds it somewhat perplexing: after the thief was discovered at the mall, he was not detained as usual but allowed to leave; the thief then returned, waving a weapon and insisting on entering. When discussing the suspect evading police pursuit and being shot dead, he mentioned that if the suspect had a gun or fired a gun, it would be appropriate for the police to respond with force; if the suspect was not seen holding a gun, the police should not shoot unless the suspect shouts “I will shoot”, which would trigger reasonable suspicion for the police to act.
Two years ago, two police officers in El Monte responded to a call at a motel and were ambushed and killed in a gunfight, causing a shock in the community.
What should Chinese individuals do when faced with police pursuit? Liu Longzhu advises that one must always comply with the police’s instructions and never resist.
He pointed out that some Chinese individuals, especially new immigrants with limited English proficiency, may become nervous when stopped by the police while driving and may frantically search their pockets or car compartments for identification documents. This behavior can make the police tense as they might fear the individual is reaching for a weapon without knowing the language barrier.
Liu Longzhu emphasized that ordinary citizens should take every measure to protect themselves as being mistakenly killed by the police is highly regrettable. When encountering a police stop, he suggests three things: first, “do exactly as the police instruct you, this is crucial.” Based on his experience, police usually say: “Put your hands on the dashboard or on the wheel,” then ask for your license and registration. Second, do not argue with the police. Third, never attempt to flee.
Especially on the third point, Liu Longzhu stated that firstly, you cannot escape; secondly, evading police pursuit is a crime itself and will only worsen the situation.
He recalled an incident two years ago in San Diego where a Chinese graduate student was involved in a car accident and attempted to grab the officer’s gun, resulting in the officer shooting him in the leg. The student was charged with serious offenses and received a 22-year sentence.
In conclusion, Liu Longzhu emphasized that during the Christmas season, when people are often out shopping or enjoying leisure activities, it is crucial to remain calm and cooperative when encountering law enforcement stops to avoid unnecessary consequences.