A man allegedly armed with a knife died after officers opened fire outside a 7-Eleven in Bell on Thursday, officials said.
The shooting was reported at an outdoor shopping plaza in the 7100 block of Atlantic Avenue around 8:25 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Deputies said a man began arguing with a woman who had a child with her at a nearby Jack in the Box restaurant. The pair then made their way to the 7-Eleven where they continued arguing. Witnesses said the man kept following the woman as she tried to get away from him.
When Bell police officers responded to the incident, the man did not comply with officers' orders, deputies and witnesses said.
"He was yelling, throwing his hands in the air making very aggressive gestures," said Julio Ruiz, a witness.
"He provoked the officers. He was telling them, what? Shoot me," said David Robles, who also witnessed the shooting. "He had a knife... he pretended like, to go towards the cops."
Three officers opened fire, striking the man, LASD said. The man was taken to a hospital where he later died.
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Authorities confirmed a knife was recovered at the scene. No officers were injured.
The relationship between the man and the woman was unknown. She and the child were not hurt.
The shooting was under investigation.
