Man shot by police for allegedly pointing gun at people in Hollywood

Monday, May 25, 2015
Man shot by police for allegedly pointing gun at people in Hollywood
A man was shot in an officer-involved shooting after allegedly pointing a gun at a group of people in Hollywood early Sunday morning.

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES -- A man was shot in an officer-involved shooting after allegedly pointing a gun at a group of people in Hollywood early Sunday morning.

The shooting occurred around 2 a.m. on Cherokee Avenue near Hollywood Boulevard, authorities said. Several people were outside at bars and restaurants in the area during the incident.

The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Tegan James Stephens, and three other men were in a nearby parking lot. Officers who were on foot in the area saw the group and noticed that the interactions between Stephens and the men appeared to be tense.

As the officers watched the interactions, Stephens walked near the back of a white Range Rover SUV and removed a handgun from the trunk. The officers said they saw Stephens begin to follow the three men who were walking away.

That is when officers made the decision to open fire on Stephens. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene shortly after the shooting and Stephens was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition.

Stephens, who is said to reside in Las Vegas, was booked for exhibiting a firearm in the presence of a police officer.

No officers were injured in the shooting. A handgun was recovered at the scene.

Hollywood Boulevard from Las Palmas to Whitley avenues was closed during the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Force Investigation Division at (213) 486-5230. Those who wish to remain anonymous may contact "Crime Stoppers" at (800) 222-8477.