Hawthorne police fatally shot a man who allegedly displayed a gun inside a sports bar on Friday, Oct. 30.
The man, believed to be 34 years old, did not comply with officers' orders to drop the weapon when they entered The Coach's Sports Bar and Grill, 13708 S. Inglewood Ave., around 8:30 p.m., according to details first reported by the Daily Breeze, citing Lt. German Ochoa of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau is handling the investigation.
Instead, the man took the firearm from his waistband and appeared to bring both hands together on the grip, Ochoa said. Whether he pointed the weapon at officers was not known.
Two officers fired. At least one shot struck the man. Officers attempted to help him before paramedics arrived and transported him to a hospital, where he died.
No one else was hurt.
Before police arrived, the man had displayed the firearm inside the bar but did not appear to threaten anyone, Ochoa said. He described the behavior as exhibiting the weapon, with no indication of threats or an assault with a deadly weapon.
The initial 911 call came after someone noticed the man had a firearm in his waistband, Ochoa said. The call was updated after someone reported the man had removed the weapon and tucked it back in.
Investigators believed about 10 other people, including employees, were inside the bar when the shooting occurred. The man did not fire any shots, police said, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Investigators were still reviewing video footage from inside the bar and body-worn camera footage as of Monday, Nov. 2, Ochoa said. How long the man had been inside, whether he was intoxicated and whether he was with anyone remained unknown.
Authorities withheld the man's identity pending notification of his relatives.
Anyone with information about the shooting can call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

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