Suspect May Have Killed Himself

A parolee shot at by Bell police Saturday may have killed himself with a handgun dropped by an officer chasing him on foot, authorities said.

Police were investigating a forgery in the Bell Mini Mall at 6607 South Atlantic Blvd. when officers spotted the suspect, who fled, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Diane Hecht said.

The man, who has not been identified, “inadvertently” kicked the gun out of an officer’s hand while jumping a short wall, picked it up and pointed it at the officer, she said. The unnamed officer shot at the man several times with his backup weapon, but officials do not know if the suspect was hit, Hecht said.

The officer later told sheriff’s deputies investigating the shooting that he heard a single gunshot coming from the suspect’s direction, Hecht said. The suspect died at the scene.