Azusa police fired bean bag rounds at a resident carrying a large kitchen knife on Sunday who allegedly charged at them. The armed man later ran toward an officer, who fatally shot him, a sheriff’s lieutenant said Monday.
The coroner’s office identified the man as Jerome Barber, 59, of Azusa. Investigators on Monday, June 28, released more details about what occurred at the apartment complex on the 900 block of West Sierra Madre Avenue Sunday afternoon. Sheriff’s homicide detectives are investigating the shooting.
Azusa police went to the apartment complex because of a domestic dispute.
Barber and his wife argued and both called the police, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Hugo Reynaga said, adding that Barber called Azusa police first.
Barber was allegedly acting erratic and grabbed a knife, Reynaga said.
The wife told police she used pepper spray on Barber then locked herself in a bedroom with their 4-month-old child, according to the lieutenant.
Barber was holding a knife when officers arrived and contacted him. They ordered him to place the knife down several times.
“He was agitated,” Reynaga said. Barber went in and out of his apartment several times.
“He came out. They’re telling him to drop the knife. He runs downstairs,” Reynaga said.
One officer fired bean bag rounds at Barber, Reynaga said.
Barber made it downstairs and allegedly ran toward an officer who was inside a carport, the lieutenant said. This officer shot him multiple times.
A knife was found at the scene. Reynaga estimated the length of the blade at between 8 to 10 inches.
