Man Shot by LAPD Officers in Los Feliz Identified

A man shot by officers in Los Feliz was identified by the Los Angeles Police Department on Monday as Walter DeLeon.

Suicide-by-cop is just one theory LAPD detectives have as to why they say DeLeon clasped his hands and raised his arms to point at officers during rush hour traffic Friday on Los Feliz Boulevard. No gun was found at the scene.

The man remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday, police said.

Investigators said they have taken testimony from eyewitnesses as part of the Force Investigation Division's interest in the shooting. Still very preliminary, LAPD says the man had his hand wrapped in a gray cloth, but did not have any injuries to his hand and earlier reports that he may have had car trouble appear to be incorrect.

"No car trouble in the area, no injury to his hands or anything, I heard speculation like that," said LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith. "We're still trying to get to the bottom of why this individual would do something like that."

Smith says DeLeon flagged down two police officers who were sitting in stalled traffic around 6:30 p.m.

"At some point he approached their car, held his hands together and pointed his hands at our officers," Smith said. "They ordered him to comply and he refused to comply with their orders, and an officer-involved shooting occurred."

Graphic cellphone video taken by a passerby shows officers handcuffing the wounded man on the ground.

The officers have been placed on paid leave while the investigation into the shooting continues.

Smith says Chief Charlie Beck will make a determination about their status in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the man's family reached out to NBC4 denying any attempts by him to commit suicide. A woman claiming to be the man's sister says her brother wouldn't hurt anyone and that "if he was flagging down cops, it was for a legit reason."

DeLeon's family members said he is a father of two and lives near the area of the shooting.