LAPD shoots, wounds man after he strikes officer with metal bar, authorities say

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles police shot and wounded a man Saturday afternoon after he struck an officer with a metal bar in downtown L.A., authorities said.

Patrol officer responded shortly before 1:30 p.m. to a radio call of a robbery near the intersection of Fourth and Omar Streets, the LAPD said in a statement.

"When the officers arrived at the area of the call, they encountered the suspect, a male adult, armed with a metal bar in one hand and a long tree branch in the other," the statement said. "Officers gave the suspect multiple commands to drop the weapon, which he failed to comply."

According to authorities, the officers fired less-lethal foam rounds to no effect.

"The suspect charged and struck an officer with the metal bar, and an officer involved shooting occurred," the LAPD statement said, adding that the man was struck by gunfire and taken into custody. His identity was not released.

The suspect and the officer were transported to hospitals, where they both were listed in stable condition, authorities said. No other injuries were reported.

The metal bar that was used to strike the officer was booked as evidence, according to police.