Stand-off in Tujunga

By Mary O’KEEFE

Detectives from Los Angeles Police Dept. continue the investigation concerning a stand-off that occurred on Friday on Helendale Avenue in Tujunga.

The incident began at about 7:30 a.m. when a man, whose name has not yet been released by LAPD, apparently walked out to the front of his home and began firing a gun into the air.

Police arrived but the man would not surrender. LAPD SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactical unit) was called to the scene.

The man was reportedly armed with a rifle and shotgun. He fired several rounds into the neighborhood during the stand-off with one bullet piercing the door of a garage. Cars were hit as well.

The stand-off between LAPD and the man lasted several hours. He finally surrendered about
1:30 p.m.

“No one was hurt,” said Lt. Caldera, LAPD Foothill Division.

Investigators found several guns in the man’s home.

“More than 10 guns,” Caldera said.

Caldera said neighbors had had some “run ins” with the man in the past but was not certain if police had been called during those incidents.

The investigation is ongoing.

As the Tujunga stand off was ending LAPD responded to a call concerning a man with a gun in the North Hollywood area.

“[On Friday] officers responded to Ventura Boulevard west of Laurel Canyon [concerning] a man with a gun,” said Officer Matthew Ludwig. “A male matching the description [of the man was found at the scene] armed with a handgun and an officer involved shooting occurred.”

The man was killed. Officers also found what appeared to be an explosive device in the man’s possession. The bomb unit responded and once it was safe the investigation continued.

The man’s name has not been released but he is described as a white male in his 40s. The LAPD Force Investigation Division was dispatched to the area. Force Investigation is responsible for all incidents involving use of deadly force by an LAPD officer.

No other information was available. The investigation is ongoing.