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Four arrested, three injured in police shooting protest in Los Angeles, U.S.

07 September 2010 21:29 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Four were arrested and three officers injured during a protest against the fatal police shooting of a construction worker in downtown Los Angeles of the United States, authorities said on Tuesday, APA reports quoting Xinhua News Agency.

Four demonstrators were arrested overnight on misdemeanor charges of inciting a riot, said Los Angeles Police Department Officer Bruce Borihan.

Two officers were injured after protesters threw bottles at them and one was hit with a rock, he said, adding that the officers were treated and have returned to duty.

Monday’s protest was sparked by the police shooting on Sunday of Manuel Jamines, 37, a Guatemalan construction worker and father of three.

Using bullhorns as they chanted "assassination, assassination" in Spanish, the protesters gathered at a bustling shopping district where Los Angeles police officers shot and killed the man.

Jamines was allegedly threatening passers-by after getting drunk before he was shot.

He allegedly ignored orders by Los Angeles police bicycle officers to drop the knife and instead lunged at them, prompting one of the officers to shoot him, police said.

Protesters said Jamines was drunk but not dangerous, and the shooting was unjustified.

Protesters asked why police didn’t use a non-lethal weapon to restrain the suspect.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Lt. Andrew Neiman said, " when you’re trying to stop a suspect or stop a deadly action, the purpose is to stop the threat as quickly as possible."

Police in riot gear monitored the protest and closed off a major street. They also went on modified tactical alert in case the demonstration turned violent.

The LAPD said it would carry out an investigation into the incident.

"This investigation is going to be transparent," said LAPD Capt. Rigo Romero. "We take every force investigation very, very serious. "