Officer-Involved Shooting in Newton Division 

**The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**

August 19, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles Police Department officials report that on August 17, 2026, at around 5:30 p.m., Newton Patrol Division uniformed officers responded to a radio call of a man armed with a firearm walking in the area of Broadway and 54th Street. Upon arriving in the area, the officers located the suspect, later identified as Eugene Dowdell and observed him to be armed with a firearm.

The officers exited their police vehicle and ordered the suspect to stop. The suspect failed to comply with the officers’ directions and continued to walk north on Broadway. A short distance later the suspect looked in the officer’s direction and pointed the firearm at them, resulting in an Officer Involved Shooting (OIS).

Dowdell was not struck by gunfire. He dropped the firearm and was taken into custody without further incident by additional officers arriving to the scene. The firearm possessed by Dowdell was determined to be a water pistol designed to resemble a firearm which was recovered at scene and booked into evidence.

No officers or community members were injured during this incident. Force Investigation Division (FID) personnel responded and assumed investigative responsibility for this incident.

Source: Los Angeles Police Department