Los Angeles police officers responded to a radio call of a man armed with a firearm walking in the area of Broadway and 54th Street in South Los Angeles at approximately 5:20 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026. The Los Angeles Police Department released this Critical Incident Video, Force Investigation Division case F033-26, on Thursday, October 1.
LAPD identifies the man as Eugene Dowdell, 48, a resident of Los Angeles.
In LAPD’s own words: “Upon arriving in the area, the officers located the suspect and observed him to be armed with a firearm. 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 officer’s direction and pointed the firearm at them, resulting in an Officer Involved Shooting.”
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“Dowdell was not struck by gunfire. He dropped the firearm and was taken into custody without further incident by additional officers arriving to the scene.”
LAPD: “No officers or community members were injured during this incident.”
The department’s finding on the weapon: “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.”
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics treated Dowdell at scene for pain to his wrist. He was eventually cleared for booking.
On August 19, 2026, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed one count of possession of a hard drug with two or more prior convictions, and two counts of brandishing a replica firearm.
Case status: LAPD’s Force Investigation Division assumed investigative responsibility. The incident goes before the Board of Police Commissioners on tactics, drawing and exhibiting a weapon, and use of deadly force. No determination has been published. LAPD says its account is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation.
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