Los Angeles police officers responded to a radio call of a kidnapping in progress near Central Avenue and Century Boulevard in Watts at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The Los Angeles Police Department released this Critical Incident Video, case NRF034-26, on Tuesday, September 22.
The call comments said the suspect was armed with a possible AR-type gun.
According to LAPD, officers arrived and saw the suspect standing in front of a restaurant holding what appeared to be an assault rifle. Officers gave repeated commands to drop the weapon. He did not comply and moved behind a parked vehicle. He then pointed the rifle in the direction of the officers, and an officer-involved shooting occurred. He was not struck.
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He ran southbound toward a rear alley and hid the rifle in the parking lot of a nearby apartment complex. Responding officers located and detained him without any further use of force.
Officers recovered the rifle and booked it as evidence. LAPD says it was determined to be an Airsoft imitation firearm loaded with plastic BBs.
No officers or community members were injured.
The victim positively identified Bryant Session as the suspect in the kidnapping. He was arrested and booked for kidnapping. On August 20, 2026, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed one count of robbery, one count of criminal threats, one count of resisting arrest and three counts of brandishing a replica firearm against Session.
LAPD’s Force Investigation Division is investigating the shooting. The department released the video while the investigation is ongoing.
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