A Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) canine tackled a suspect who allegedly fired a gun at a police helicopter during a nearly four-hour standoff on Nov. 20, authorities said.
The LAPD’s 77th Street Patrol Division responded to the scene around 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 20 following a report of a man with a gun, according to a press release. A helicopter from the Air Support Division also responded to the call and began hovering over the location. The tactical flight officer observed the suspect, identified as 57-year-old Anthony Whitsey, appear to fire three to five rounds at the helicopter using a pistol. The tactical flight officer made a call requesting help. (RELATED: Court Orders City To Pay Convicted Murderer Nearly $3 Million)
Officers who arrived at the scene were directed to Whitsey’s location by the air support unit and found Whitsey appearing to hold a gun while standing in his front yard. Officers gave Whitsey multiple commands to drop the weapon, but he allegedly refused, and an officer-involved shooting occurred. According to the same release, Whitsey dropped the pistol and remained in the front yard while refusing to surrender to police.
Additional officers arrived at the scene, striking Whitsey with rounds from a less-lethal force launcher. He retreated into his residence and refused to surrender, prompting the LAPD’s canine and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel to respond and barricade the suspect. Whitsey exited his residence and was taken into custody after being bitten by the canine. In a video released by the LAPD, the police canine can be seen tackling Whitsey around the 16:28-minute mark. The standoff lasted almost four hours, the New York Post reported.
Whitsey was transported to a local hospital to treat minor injuries and was then booked for assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, authorities said. Police recovered the suspect’s gun and booked it as evidence.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to ABC 7.
The LAPD did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment.