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Pursuit Ends With Man Punching Officer in the Face

Police said the man appeared to be under the influence of some kind of drug

A shirtless 18-year-old man in sweatpants led police on a chase before punching an officer in the face in West Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday.

"It seems like he was under the influence of some kind of drug, and his reasoning is beyond us at this time," Capt. Howard Leslie of the LAPD said.

Officers began chasing the man, wanted on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, in an SUV at 2 p.m. in the 1700 block of Ogden Street.

Officers said they received a report of a man, wearing no shirt and sweatpants, brandishing a handgun, and a slow pursuit began.

Officers used a spike strip to try and stop the man, however it didn't work. He continued to drive the SUV into the parking lot of Alexander Hamilton High School near the field.

The school temporarily went on lockdown. The pursuit came to an end shortly thereafter.

As the man was being taken into custody, he punched a female officer in the face. Her eye was injured, according to the LAPD.

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"As we tried to take the suspect into custody, as he was walking away, he turned and struck one of the officers in the face, causing lacerations," Lesie said. 

The officer was transported to the hospital.

Officers then used a stun gun to subdue the man, and he was taken into custody. He was also taken to the hospital.

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