The Brief

Remember when strong winds led to a tumbleweed takeover in Victorville on the outskirts of the Mojave Desert in 2018?

Neither did I until Tuesday evening, when the National Weather Service for Los Angeles posted that they saw a giant — emphasis on giant — tumbleweed in Simi Valley brought on by those dreaded Santa Ana winds.

The video spurred Southern Californians to join tumbleweed watch, with respondents reporting tumbleweeds on the move in Irvine, Carson, Oxnard, Woodland Hills and on the 5 Freeway.

This TikToker pulled over and wanted to take a tumbleweed home.

A tumbleweed on the curbside.

(

TikTok user: rachael_raee

)

One shopper spotted one at the Topanga mall.

And as if navigating traffic on the 405 Freeway isn't hard enough, add a tumbleweed into the mix.

What are tumbleweeds?

Tumbleweed — or Russian thistle — is not native to California. According to research out of the University of California, it was introduced stateside in the early 1800s by Russian immigrants. Now, the weed grows abundantly in California’s climate on “poorly tended landscapes,” like along freeways and vacant desert lots.

In late fall and early winter, high winds like the Santa Anas result in the weed breaking from its root and rolling around the landscape.

Given that they are a fire hazard, in Los Angeles County, tumbleweeds fall under the weed abatement program. Inspectors go to properties with tumbleweeds and, if deemed a fire hazard, the owner is contacted to have them removed by a set deadline.

Los Angeles police officers shot and killed a man who appeared to be armed with a rifle outside the California Science Center in Exposition Park on Thursday morning, according to LAPD Deputy Chief Marc Reina.

Reina said police do not yet know the identity of man, who they estimate was about 35 years old.

No police or other community members were injured in the incident, Reina said. The science center was placed briefly on lockdown but reopened. The north side of the museum remains closed, the deputy chief said.

Reina said a motorcycle cop initially spotted the man around 9:30 a.m. carrying what appeared to be a rifle and walking west down State Drive, a small road that runs between the science center and Exposition Park Rose Garden.

Multiple cops responded to the scene and faced off with the man. The subject continued down State Drive, Reina said, before police opened fire.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene and pronounced the man dead, Reina said.

The incident will be investigated by department use-of-force investigators, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and the LAPD’s inspector general, the deputy chief said.

Investigators have not yet determined what prompted police to open fire, Reina said. Police do not believe the man fired his weapon.

Here's what witnesses saw

Stacey Hutchinson said he was sitting on a bench along State Drive drinking a cup of coffee when the incident unfolded.

He said the man appeared in good spirits and greeted him nonchalantly as he walked up the street before taking a seat. Hutchinson said he saw the man carrying what appeared to be a long gun.

Police initially responded with bean bag guns, Hutchinson said, but drew firearms when the man picked up the weapon.

Police opened fire after the man pointed the apparent rifle in their direction, Hutchinson said.

The man did not appear to be trying to enter the science center, Hutchinson said, and appeared to remain calm until police asked him to drop his weapon.