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Unarmed Man Shot by LAPD Officers for Allegedly Raising Arm Wrapped in Towel

Graphic video footage from the aftermath of the incident shows officers handcuffing the motionless man as he lays on the ground bleeding heavily.
Image via Twitter

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Los Angeles police shot and critically wounded an unarmed man Friday in the city's affluent Los Feliz neighborhood after he allegedly raised an arm wrapped in a towel, leading officers to fear he was pointing a gun.

"This person extended an arm wrapped in a towel. The officer exited the vehicle and said, 'Drop the gun, drop the gun,'" LAPD Lt. John Jenal said, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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A witness recorded graphic video footage in the aftermath of the incident that shows officers handcuffing the motionless man as he lays on the ground bleeding heavily. The unidentified injured man was hospitalized in critical condition. From the video, the wounded man appears to be white.

Related: The LAPD Spent $22K to Have a Jailed Mexican Mafia Hit Man Speak at a Private Event

The LAPD shot this guy in the head and then proceeded to cuff him after.. — 30 Second Injuries (@ThirtySecInjury)June 20, 2015

The incident is the latest in a string of high-profile shootings by LAPD officers. Just last week, the Los Angeles Police Commission said that the use of deadly force was not justified by one of two officers who shot Ezell Ford, a mentally ill black man, last summer.

The report said that Ford and the officer were grappling for the officer's weapon, but noted that police had no valid reason to stop and detain Ford.

The LAPD is also investigating the police shooting of an unarmed homeless black man near the Venice boardwalk in May.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck has said he was "very concerned" about the May incident. "Any time an unarmed person is shot by a Los Angeles police officer, it takes extraordinary circumstances to justify that," Beck said.

The LAPD is now investigating the fatal Los Feliz shooting.