The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Hollywood Division compiled video from cameras worn by officers who responded to the scene and the cell phones of witnesses, providing more information about the death of a 22-year-old suspect, Nathaniel Pinnock, last year.
Police said the incident occurred on November 25 at around 11:20 a.m. after Pinnock committed an armed robbery at a local auto parts store, KABC reported.
The graphic footage, released to YouTube yesterday alongside a brief summary of the probe, shows the seconds leading up to the fatal shooting, with the suspect seen charging toward an officer after initially trying to flee from the area in a vehicle.
The two officers who were involved in the deadly incident were named as Youssef Brady and Nicolas Padilla - each assigned to Hollywood Division.
Moments prior, Pinnock entered the passenger side of a stranger’s vehicle while armed with the long weapon. The owner left the vehicle and the suspect climbed into the driver’s seat. The video clips show how multiple officers attempted to subdue him with less-lethal options.
Pinnock stole the vehicle and drove “at a high rate of speed” before colliding with two patrol cars, forcing the hijacked car to stop at the intersection of McCadden Place and Sunset Blvd.
Again officers unsuccessfully tried to take him down with a beanbag shotgun, which is designed to fire a cloth filled with pellets, and a less-lethal device that uses foam projectiles.
The suspect did not appear to be wounded by those attempts, and fled on foot while still clutching the machete. In his final moments, he changed direction and turned directly at one of the officers. He was hit with gunfire as the officer fell to the ground and more backup arrived.
The officer involved asked the man multiple times to drop the knife and was heard yelling “stop” as Pinnock rushed at him. In another clip, a person could be heard shouting “Don’t do it!”
Pinnock was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The machete was located at the crime scene and the LAPD confirmed that no innocent bystanders were injured in the events. It remains unclear how many times Pinnock was stuck by the officers’ firearms.
Josh Rubenstein, LAPD public information officer, said the probe will continue for several months, including analysis of forensics and the autopsy. The findings will then be forwarded to the police chief, who will make recommendations to the civilian board of police commissioners.
“The board will evaluate the evidence to determine whether the officers’ tactics, drawing and exhibiting of a weapon and use of deadly force… met the high standards expected,” he said.
