Bodycam: LAPD Officer Shoots Man to Stop Knife Fight With Brother

LAPD officers arrested a man accused of holding his brother at knifepoint during a struggle last month.

The incident happened at about 5 a.m. May 1 when police responded to a possible burglary at a home, according to the department, which released body camera footage and 9-1-1 audio from the call. A bystander at the scene told officers that two brothers were locked in a physical altercation inside the home. 

Body camera footage shows the brothers battling over a knife. Police ordered the suspect, later identified as Fredrick Spells, to drop the knife and surrounded.

Spells refused to comply, and officers used a less-lethal launcher, but that was ineffective. Police then opened fire with their service weapon, and Spells was struck.

Officers provided medical assistance to Spells, and medics took over once they arrived at the scene. Spells was rushed to the hospital, but no details were released concerning his condition following the shooting. 

No officers or bystanders were injured during the incident. 

The shooting is under investigation.