David McMahon, L.A. Homicide No. 40: Suspected Prowler Shot Dead by Police in East Hollywood
By Ryan Deto
Los Angeles Times A handgun lies on the sidewalk at the crime scene
Around 9:50 a.m. on February 19, LAPD officers responded to report of a prowler in East Hollywood. After spotting the suspect, 49-year-old white David McMahon, three officers chased him north on Westmoreland Avenue and then right on Fountain Avenue.
During the chase the officers said they saw McMahon bring out a handgun. They shot the suspect several times and he died near the 4600 block of Fountain Avenue, across the street from Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the incident was uncommon for the area:
[Neighborhood resident Liz Dwyer] said the area has some gang problems, and there are many incidents of armed robberies and cars being broken into. But Dwyer said the neighborhood flies under the police radar because there aren't many reports of shootings.During the chase, one officer suffered a minor injury from "glass fragments to the face." At the time officials would not elaborate further on the officer's injury.
After both the officer and suspect were taken to a local hospital, authorities taped off the scene for further investigation. A handgun and shell casings were left with markers to identify them.
Note: Due to technical difficulties, the LA Weekly's archive of all homicides within Los Angeles city limits was discontinued near the end of last year. We will be rolling out the 2011 homicides, one by one, until our "Murder was the Case" archive is up to date. Thanks for your patience.
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