This compilation of bodycam and security camera footage depicts two LAPD officers as they confront a knife-wielding suspect in a hotel lobby. Viewer discretion is advised.

The officers are dispatched to a hotel, here redacted, in response to a call of Assault with a Deadly weapon. The suspect, later identified as one Douglas Hill, was reportedly threatening hotel staff with a knife, and appeared to be under the influence of an unknown narcotic.

Security warns the officers that the suspect has a knife at 0:08, at which point Hill is warned to drop it. He does not comply, and appears to be in some sort of altered mental state, confusing the officer's handgun for a flashlight at 0:19. Hill also seems to be laboring under the dillusion that the responding officers are in some way attached to hotel security, and as such aren't "real cops." He begins to get agitated, moving around and drawing the knife from his pocket at 0:33.

He moves laterally, closing the gap between himself and the two officers. At 0:47, Hill commits to rushing the primary officer. It's worth noting that he is already on the edge of the suggested reactionary gap for dealing with a knife-wielding suspect. However, he doesn't clear half a dozen steps before the officers fire on him, bringing him down at 0:52. The LAPD officers use only enough force to stop the threat, so only two rounds are fired before Hill drops the knife, going to his knees.

The second officer's perspective begins at 01:21. At 02:30, footage depicts the suspect being handcuffed and taken to an area hospital, where as of this writing, he is in stable condition. At 02:54, we see a security feed of the incident, which shows the wide spacing of the officers. This prevents a potential for crossfire and forces Hill to pick a target.

About the Author

Cole Simms

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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