Los Angeles Shock: Sikh Man Waving Machete Shot by Police, LAPD Launches Probe After Disturbing Viral Video Viewed by 1M
LAPD shoots Sikh man seen waving a machete in Los Angeles; viral video with 1M+ views sparks outrage as police launch internal investigation
A Sikh man was shot dead in Los Angeles after he was seen waving a 27-inch-long machete in the middle of the road. The Los Angeles police department (LAPD) has released videos in connection with the fatal shooting of the 35-year-old man
As per reports, the incident took place in July when LAPD police officers shot down Gurpreet Singh, a resident of California’s Arcadia, following a dramatic car chase in Los Angeles.
Singh sustained gunshot wounds on the morning of July 13. He was transported to a local hospital to be treated for the gunshot wounds, but succumbed to his injuries on July 17.
The video, which contains disturbing visuals, is a a combination of the CCTV and police dashcam footage made public and shows Singh waving a 27-inch-long machete on the road towards passing vehicles and pedestrians.
HT is not embedding the video due to disturbing visuals, violence.
As per a PTI report, the LAPD said its officers gave multiple commands for Singh to drop the weapon, but he failed to comply. Singh then returned to his vehicle, retrieved a water bottle, and threw it at the officers.
The video shows LAPD officers chasing Singh in his car across streets in the area. Singh drove off in his car while waving the machete outside the driver’s side window.
Officers initiated a vehicle pursuit during which Singh drove erratically, driving his car in circles and colliding with an officer’s vehicle.
Shortly after, Singh stopped his car on the street, exited his vehicle while still armed with the machete, and charged at the officers. The LAPD officers ordered him to stop and fired at Singh, injuring him in the process.
The LAPD has ordered an investigation into the shooting of the Sikh man Gurpreet Singh, and authorities will determine whether the officers’ tactics, drawing and exhibiting a weapon and use of deadly force in this instance met the standards expected of all officers of the department.
The officers involved in the shooting have been identified as Central Area Police Officer IIs Michael Orozco and Nestor Espinoza Bojorquez.
Gurpreet Singh fell on the pavement after he was struck by the bullets. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to the incident and transported the man to a local hospital for treatment for gunshot wounds. The machete, two feet in length, was recovered at the scene and booked as evidence.
Singh died due to his injuries on July 17 at the hospital. While many people side with the police in the incident, others say that the man was practising Gatka, a traditional Sikh martial art.
A shocking incident in Los Angeles has gone viral after a Sikh man was filmed waving a machete in public before being shot by police officers. The dramatic scene, captured on video and widely shared online, has already crossed 1 million views, sparking debate over policing, community safety, and use of force in the United States. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has since confirmed that it has launched a formal internal investigation into the matter.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident unfolded when police officers were called to a neighborhood in Los Angeles following reports of a man behaving aggressively while brandishing a large machete. Videos show the Sikh man pacing the street, waving the weapon and appearing agitated.
As officers attempted to negotiate and order him to drop the machete, tensions escalated. The footage captures the moment when police opened fire after the man allegedly advanced toward them. Screams can be heard in the background as bystanders recorded the scene.
The man, whose identity has not yet been officially released, was rushed to a nearby hospital. His condition remains unconfirmed, though some reports suggest he suffered critical injuries.
In a press statement, the LAPD said officers responded to an emergency call of a “man armed with a deadly weapon, threatening public safety.” The department added that while officers initially tried to de-escalate the situation, the suspect’s “non-compliance and aggressive movements” led them to use firearms.
However, in light of the viral video and growing public scrutiny, the LAPD confirmed that its Force Investigation Division has been tasked with reviewing the case. Body-worn camera footage from the officers involved will also be analyzed to determine whether protocols were followed.
The incident has generated intense reactions, both in Los Angeles and internationally, particularly among the Sikh and South Asian communities.
Some community leaders have expressed shock and concern, urging the LAPD to ensure transparency in its investigation.
Civil rights groups have demanded clarity on whether non-lethal methods, such as tasers, pepper spray, or rubber bullets, were considered before opening fire.
Social media has been divided — while some argue that the police had little choice given the visible threat, others accuse officers of excessive use of force.
This is not the first time the LAPD has come under scrutiny for its handling of armed individuals, and the case is expected to fuel ongoing debates around police reform and accountability.
Experts believe that incidents like this highlight the urgent need for better training of officers in mental health crisis intervention. Often, individuals waving weapons in public are under severe distress or suffering from untreated psychological issues.
Advocates argue that the presence of armed officers alone can escalate tensions, whereas specially trained crisis units might be better suited to handle such situations. The LAPD has previously pledged to increase its investment in mental health response teams, but critics say progress has been slow.
The outcome of the LAPD’s internal investigation will determine whether officers involved face disciplinary action or whether the shooting will be ruled as justified. The District Attorney’s Office may also review the case depending on the findings.
Meanwhile, the Sikh community in Los Angeles has called for peace and restraint, urging the public not to jump to conclusions until all facts are revealed. At the same time, activists continue to pressure the LAPD for greater accountability and transparency in all officer-involved shootings.
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