Police Wednesday evening identified two men suspected of attacking officers in downtown Los Angeles as they were taking another man and two women into custody, prompting two uses of force.
Officers were conducting an investigation near Figueroa Street and Wilshire Boulevard about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday involving two women who had shown signs of being in the midst of a mental health crisis when they saw a man yelling at, then pushing, another man who had been walking southbound on Figueroa Street from Seventh Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Police took David Dixon, 53, of Los Angeles, into custody and discovered he had a felony warrant for assault with a deadly weapon, police said.
As officers were preparing to leave with Dixon and the two women, an estimated group of 50 protesters who were marching in the area surrounded the officers and began chanting “Let them go,” police said.
A man in a wheelchair, identified as Joshua Wilson, 33, of Los Angeles, slugged an officer in the face and a use of force occurred between officers and Wilson and he was taken into custody, police said.
During the altercation, an officer saw another man, identified as Mario Chacon, 30, of Glendora, try to grab an officer’s baton and push a second officer. Another use of force occurred and Chacon was taken into custody, police said. The type of force used in both situations was not disclosed.
At one point, the crowd tried to grab onto Chacon and pull him away from officers, police said.
Officers put out a “help call” and numerous officers responded to the area and told the crowd to leave and continue their march.
Wilson was treated by medical personnel before being arrested and Chacon was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released, then booked on suspicion of battery on a peace officer.
Dixon was booked for a felony warrant. All three were taken to the department’s Central Division station.
While officers processed Wilson for arrest, they found a loaded firearm in his backpack, which had been on his wheelchair, police said.
Chacon was released and is due in court Oct. 16. Dixon and Wilson are jailed in lieu of $50,000 and $35,000 bail, respectively.
Three officers and a sergeant were treated for minor injuries each sustained during the incident.