LOS ANGELES – A Georgia resident was identified Saturday as the man Los Angeles police claim was shot to death by his own handgun in a struggle with officers during a traffic stop.
Anton Byrd was 40 years old and died in a hospital, the coroner’s office said.
The shooting was reported at 11:04 p.m. May 12 on Central Avenue at 74th Street in South Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
A Newton Division patrol officer made the stop, he said. The officer’s name was not disclosed.
An LAPD news release explained the officers pulled over the vehicle for a Vehicle Code violation.
“As the driver exited the vehicle, he armed himself with a black, semi-automatic handgun,” the release said. “One of the officers attempted to restrain the driver, who attempted to escape the officer’s hold, lunging himself forward.
“During the brief struggle the driver discharged his handgun and sustained a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to his neck and immediately fell to the ground. Officers moved the handgun away from the driver and handcuffed him.”
A loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun and a single-spent 9mm casing were recovered at the scene, police said.
The shooting was under investigation, Cruz said. No officers were injured.
