A burglary suspect — identified by police as Jeffrey Askew — leaped off an apartment building before police shot him. (Screenshot: Los Angeles Police Department)
As seen on a body camera video, a burglary suspect leaped off an apartment building, bounced off a house roof, and landed on a cement walkway moments before an officer shot him. Cops said he appeared to point an object — which they originally believed to be a gun — at law enforcement. It was actually a hammer.
The Los Angeles Police Department said that first responders took Jeffrey Askew, 27, to Los Angeles General Medical Center, where he was listed in critical but stable condition.
Police claim Askew, Daiyaan Henderson, 20, Aaron Flenoy, 22, and Justice Lockhart, 25, forced their way into an apartment at the 1100 block of East 33rd Street on Sept. 15, bound and gagged a man, and stole the keys to his car.
Officers arrived, taking Lockhart and Flenoy into custody without incident, they said.
But as seen on the footage, a man — identified by police as Askew — risked life and limb to get away. He leaped off the apartment building onto a nearby single-story home, but when he landed, he bounced off the sloped roof and crashed onto the cement walkway below.
He lay prone on the ground as officers told him not to move or reach for his waistband. An officer took cover, repeating the order multiple times not to move, and then opened fire.
Police said Askew had taken out an object from his waistband. He appeared to point it in the officers’ direction, prompting the shooting, officials said.
You can see the encounter in the age-restricted YouTube video beginning at about 8:00. Viewer discretion is advised.
“The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Board of Police Commissioners, and the Office of the Inspector General to determine the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation and whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures,” police said.
No one else was hurt in the incident, according to officers.
As for Henderson, he tried to escape the scene by changing clothes and leaving out the front door of the apartment complex, but officers spotted and arrested him, police said.
Each man is charged with a count each of home invasion robbery, residential burglary, and felony offense against a person over 65 years of age.
Flenoy and Henderson are also charged with personal use of a firearm during a felony.
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