LAPD Closes Five Block Radius Downtown Due to Reported Rooftop Gunmen
The Los Angeles Police Department shut down streets and sidewalks in a five-square-block area of downtown this afternoon. The closure was a result of reports that men with guns had been spotted on the roof at the Huntington Hotel.
Four men with what appeared to be Tech 9 automatic hand guns were spotted on the roof and reported by concerned citizens. The men were in the sights of an LAPD sniper armed with an AR-15 (M-16) automatic rifle. Lt. Paul Vernon said "Had he pointed that gun at the officers, he would have lost his life," In the end it turned out that the weapons were in fact air rifles which closely resembled the Tech 9. Lt. Vernon said "From a technical standpoint, there is no crime, but I would classify this as felony stupid. No one should be on the roof of a downtown hotel with handguns, real or not." More information can be found at http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/03/lapd-cordons-off-portion-of-dow... -----------On a personal note: This was one of my first opportunities to do real photojournalism work. My life goal is to be a photojournalist, and I was simply lucky that I was at the scene as it unfolded. I was treated as press and with much respect by the LAPD. This only helped to solidify my career aspirations. Many thanks to the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department for doing a wonderful job today, and being respectful and courteous to the citizens (and photographers) in the area.
