A man allegedly armed with an air rifle was arrested after police fired at him while serving a warrant for illegal cannabis cultivation at a residence in North Hollywood, authorities said Tuesday.
No injuries were reported in the shooting that occurred around 10 a.m. Monday, when narcotics and gang enforcement officers were serving the warrant in the 11500 block of Gilmore Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
“After completing the required verbal announcements, officers breached a rear gate and entered the yard,” the LAPD said in a statement on Tuesday.
“As the officers made their approach, the suspect, later identified as 70-year-old Arsen Zalyan, exited the residence and pointed a rifle-type weapon in their direction,” which led to the shooting, the LAPD statement said.
“Zalyan was not struck by gunfire and immediately retreated back toward the residence,” the LAPD said. “Officers redeployed to the street and ordered Zalyan to surrender. After a few minutes, Zalyan exited the location and was taken into custody without incident.”
SWAT officers entered the location and searched for other suspects, but no one else was inside, police said.
“An AEA .30 caliber semi-automatic airsoft carbine rifle was located and recovered from the scene,” the LAPD statement said. “Officers recovered approximately 240 pounds of cannabis from inside the residence.”
Zalyan was booked on suspicion of at least one felony, and was released on $50,000 bond, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.