Authorities ID Burglary Suspect Fatally Shot by LAPD

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Authorities Tuesday identified a burglary suspect, allegedly armed with a knife, who was fatally shot by Los Angeles police following a nearly four-hour barricade in the Mid-City area.

Lavell Adams, 31, died at the scene of the shooting, which occurred about 7:05 a.m. Monday, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner and the Los Angeles Police Department. His city of residence was not known.

Officers were sent to the 2600 block of South Halm Avenue about 3:20 a.m. Monday on a report of a burglary in progress, according to the LAPD.

Three "possible suspects" in a vehicle near the residence were detained by the officers, who "saw smoke coming from the house and requested LAFD," an LAPD statement said.

"LAFD entered the house and found a man armed with a knife," police said. "LAFD exited and LAPD set up containment on the house."

About 5:15 a.m., there was an "encounter" between the officers and the suspect, LAPD Detective Meghan Aguilar told reporters at the scene on Monday morning.

"Officers did encounter that suspect, who was armed with a knife," Aguilar said. "They used a beanbag shotgun. The suspect ran back into the home -- further in. At that point, they declared a barricade, and LAPD SWAT was requested. That was around 5:15 this morning.

"As SWAT arrived, they began to assume the roles that the West LA officers had been in, and the suspect came out one of the side windows," Aguilar said. "He was still armed with a knife, and there was an officer- involved shooting."

Aguilar said the suspect was struck by gunfire and pronounced dead at the scene.  She added that a large knife was near the suspect. No other injuries were reported.