Man Shot, Killed After Charging at Hawthorne Officer, Police Say

A Hawthorne police officer checking a domestic dispute report shot and killed a man who charged at him Tuesday after repeated attempts to halt the suspect with pepper spray failed, authorities said.

The officer, whose name was not released, was responding to a call in the 4400 block of West 118th Street at 10:40 a.m. when Jorge Escoda, 45, tried to tackle the officer, said Sheriff’s Deputy Carrie Stuart. Escoda, 45, then allegedly attempted to grab a knife from the kitchen, Stuart said.

The officer, who was warned about the knife by Escoda’s wife, attempted to stop Escoda with pepper spray, but it had no effect, Stuart said. Escoda apparently charged the officer who fired several rounds, striking Escoda in the upper torso, Stuart said.