An off-duty reserve Los Angeles police officer shot and killed a man after the officer thought the man was attempting to rob him at a Covina Carl's Jr. restaurant, Covina police said.
Paramedics responded to a report of gunshots at the restaurant at 573 N. Azusa Ave. just after 3 p.m., the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.
The unidentified man was found suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper torso on the ground outside of the restaurant. He was pronounced dead at the scene, fire officials said.
Covina police said the man allegedly brandished a gun, and the reserve officer thought he was attempting to rob him.
"When he was waiting for food he was confronted by the subject. The subject brandished a weapon at him. He was fearful of a robbery so he drew his own weapon and fired several times," Sgt. Gregg Peterson of Covina Police said.
Police say witnesses ran outside after the shooting and others hid in a bathroom.
The Los Angeles Police Department was assisting with the Covina Police Department's investigation.
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The officer was OK, according to the Covina Police Department. Officers recovered a handgun from the man who died at the scene.
LAPD confirms their reserve officers are licensed to carry concealed weapons.
"They get trained by our department, they go through our academy. They do the same amount of training as a regular officer, just on a part time basis," Lieutenant Chris Ramirez of the LAPD said.
Beverly White contributed to this report.
