L.A. Teen Shot by Police Was Holding Fake Gun and Left Farewell Note, Police Say

Associated Press
Updated
Police Chief Charlie Beck says Daniel Enrique Perez was trying to commit suicide

(LOS ANGELES) —Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck says a 16-year-old boy was trying to commit suicide when he confronted police with a fake gun last weekend and was shot dead by an officer.

Beck says Thursday that Daniel Enrique Perez had called 911 Sunday to report a man with a gun in South Los Angeles and had left a farewell note to his parents.

Police have said officers sent to the area spotted a person matching the suspect’s description and when they approached he pointed a gun at them.

The weapon turned out to be a replica with an orange tip that was painted black.

Beck says Perez also had an unspecified prior history that also leads investigators to believe he wanted to end his own life.

He also says the officer who shot Perez is devastated.