Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Man Aims Toy Rifle at Traffic

police_car_moving.jpg
Photo by stevelyon via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Sometimes toys are no laughing matter.A homeless man was arrested yesterday after pointing a fake AK-47 at passing cars on the corner of Los Feliz Road and brand Blvd., reports the LA Times:

Fearing that Schwartz would fire what they thought was a real gun, [Glendale Police Sgt. Tom] Lorenz said several motorists swerved to avoid his aim.

Reports of the man and what witnesses believed was a real weapon began coming in at 6:25 a.m., and within two minutes, according to the Times, a dozen police cruisers had surrounded 57-year-old John Schwartz, who immediately relinquished the toy.

Given the circumstances, and had Schwartz not complied with officers, he could have been seriously hurt or even killed:

“He was lucky he did not get shot,” Lorenz said.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today