Authorities said the driver grabbed a handgun and opened fire after an officer stopped him for a vehicle code violation.
GARDENA, CA — A Gardena police officer fatally shot a man after authorities said the driver grabbed a handgun and fired at officers during a traffic stop late Friday night.
The shooting occurred at about 11:05 p.m. Oct. 2 in the 2100 block of West Rosecrans Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff’s homicide detectives are assisting the Gardena Police Department with the investigation. No officers or other people were reported injured.
Authorities said a Gardena officer had stopped the motorist for a vehicle code violation. The specific violation that led to the stop was not immediately disclosed. The driver was the only person inside the vehicle.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, the officer saw a firearm inside the vehicle and within the driver’s reach while making contact with him. The department said the officer repeatedly ordered the man not to reach for the weapon.
Authorities said the man reached for the firearm despite those commands, armed himself and got out of the vehicle. The Sheriff’s Department said the man then fired at officers, prompting an officer-involved shooting. Officials have not released additional details about the exchange of gunfire, including how many shots were fired or how many officers discharged their weapons.
The man was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground, according to investigators. Officers and responding Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics provided medical aid before he was taken to a local hospital. He was later pronounced dead.
The Sheriff’s Department described the man as an adult Black male but had not publicly released his name as of its initial statement. Authorities also had not identified the officer or officers involved in the shooting.
Investigators said a handgun was found at the scene. No officers or other people were injured during the incident, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Authorities have not released further information about the recovered firearm or whether additional evidence was collected from the vehicle or surrounding area.
The sequence of events released Saturday represents the preliminary account from law enforcement. Authorities had not announced the release of body-camera footage or other recordings of the encounter, and several details remained unknown, including the exact reason for the traffic stop and the identity of the man who died.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the investigation remains ongoing. Officials said no additional information was immediately available.
Author note: Last updated October 4, 2026.