A man who allegedly pointed a water pistol at police in South Los Angeles, prompting at least one officer to open fire, remained behind bars Wednesday awaiting word on possible criminal charges.
Eugene Dowdell, 48, was being held without bail, according to county jail records.
Officers responded about 5:30 p.m. Monday to a radio call of a man with a gun in the area of 54th Street and Broadway, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
“Upon arrival in the area, the officers located the suspect, later identified as Eugene Dowdell, and observed him to be armed with a firearm,” according to an LAPD statement. “The officers exited their police vehicle and ordered the suspect to stop. The suspect failed to comply with the officers’ directions and continued to walk north on Broadway. A short distance later, the suspect looked in the officers’ direction and pointed the firearm at them,” prompting at least one officer to open fire.
Dowdell was not struck by the gunfire, but he stopped, dropped the firearm and was taken into custody, police said.
“The firearm possessed by Dowdell was determined to be a water pistol designed to resemble a firearm which was recovered at scene and booked into evidence,” according to the LAPD.
No officers were injured.