C.H.i.P.s. California Highway Patrol Police Officer shot man who walked on freeway and charged at officers with metal

A man walking on the 110 Freeway early Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles allegedly grabbed a piece of metal and charged at a California Highway Patrol officer, who opened fire and wounded the man, authorities said.

The shooting forced the closure of the northbound 110 Freeway for about nine hours, snarling traffic for thousands of motorists during the morning commute.

Before the shooting, about 11:50 p.m. Monday, a CHP officer responded to a report of a man walking in traffic lanes on the freeway near Olympic Boulevard, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department.

The man, identified by the LAPD as Mardell Leon Peirson, 38, held  what police described as a metal stanchion and allegedly refused to obey officer’s orders to leave the freeway.

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