Knife Wielding Suspect Assaults Salon Patrons

Los Angeles: An off-duty LAPD officer shot and wounded a man who was wielding a knife at a local hair salon.

On October 10, 2006, at 1:25 p.m., an off-duty officer was getting a haircut at a salon in the 4600 block of Pico Boulevard.  A man in his 50s, armed with a knife, walked in and immediately began to argue with the owner.   Switching the knife from hand to hand, the suspect advanced toward the owner and the officer.  The officer identified himself as such and repeatedly ordered him to drop the knife.  The man failed to comply and came within a few feet still holding the knife. The officer deployed his firearm with the man receiving several gunshot wounds.

The man , identified as Emanuel Lloyd Benjamin, 50, of Los Angeles, was taken to a local hospital where he was listed in serious condition. Detectives' learned that Benjamin was the father of a former employee of the salon.  Benjamin was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon. 

The officer is Jared Vann, 28, 2 years, 11 months with the Department, assigned to Southwest Area.

Force Investigation Division is conducting the investigation.  For further information, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

Comments

[James R.]

Great job 'Vann the man'!

Just goes to show you, never bring a knife to a gunfight.

The dept. allows you to carry off-duty and you would be a fool to not.

This Officer saved a citizen's life, hopefully he will be looking at a Medal for Valor instead of days-off for bad tactics!

[J B]

They only give you the medal of valor for doing a fireman's job. Fire your weapon in a idol situtation and they will be looking for some reason to give you days.

[Ryan Smith]

I agree the officer did an oustanding job for his actions off duty. I also agree that this officer deserves something great in recognition for it. I do have a question about the medal of valor. Over the years I have read about many officers in very dangerous situations where they needed to act with gun fire or some other tactic to stop a very dangerous and evolving situation. I read about the medal of valor winners and not many officers that had been in a shooting were given the medal of valor. Why is that? Instead I read about a female officer who stood outside a door calling to people that were inside a burning house to come out. Her partner officers all ran in to get people out. The partner officers all got the medal including the female officer. I know the department offers many other medals. Maybe the female should have gotten the star medal or something of the nature and give the medal of valor to an officer who was fighting for his life and citizens in gun fire. Not too many of those officers seem to be recognized, why? Why not recognize the officers from the North Hollywood Shootout, the south LA Riots, or the officers that chased a suv in south los angeles who continued to fire at them while the officers gave chase? I dont think the department is at face with the majority of citizens who support the LAPD. I think they are still trying to sugar coat your job as police officers. I read things everyday as a citizen and I know being a police officer is nothing that can be sugar coated. Let the police do their job and please stop trying to appease these so called intrest groups. Recognize offices for what they do!!! Just a thought from a Los Angeles Citizen----who knows if it matters maybe if I start my own special intrest group it will?

[Citizen / Officer]

Unfortunately, I agree with both of your comments (J.B. and James R.). The Officer was able to do a great job and save a life, or many lives. Instead he will be guilty until proven innocent. I hope at least the community and/or parties involved take the time to write the officer a commendation.

[Stacey O]

Children are a product of their parents! This man was obviously disgruntled by something his child did. Officer Vann, on the other hand, was raised and bred to 'protect and serve'. In the course of doing what is right, he probably will become the defendant by the dimented doctrine that we refer to as the police code. I know Jared's parents and I can say that he was probably raised much better than the suspect or his child. It is unfortunate that this officer was a victim at the time, and wil remain a victim while the commission of the comedians review his case. If they don't find this shooting justified, to all you activists, you should be ashamed of yourself. Jared will be the first one you will run behind when a knife wielding fool is chasing your behinds. But you only know when to comment when you can get your five minutes of fame. It is obvious that at point blank range, if he had ill intent, poor old victim, Mr. Benjamin, would not be around to get his five minutes of fame and his blue collar paycheck. Did someone do toxicology on this fool?