Suspect killed in officer-involved shooting in Westlake district

A suspect was shot and killed Wednesday night in an officer-involved shooting in the Westlake district, police said.

Los Angeles Police Department Officer Sal Ramirez said an officer requested backup for a man with a gun at 7:08 p.m. in the area of Third and Witmer streets.

When attempts to de-escalate the situation, including verbal and less lethal use of force, failed, an officer-involved shooting occurred, police said.

The suspect died at the scene.

Police did not say what specifically prompted officers to fire on the suspect but witnesses told news outlets a man had a gun to his head prior to the shooting.

A gun was recovered at the scene, police said.

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