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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - An armed man who barricaded himself in a downtown Los Angeles hotel was fatally shot by police today at the end of an hours-long standoff.
The barricade at the Rosslyn Hotel in the 100 block of West Fifth Street began at about 8:30 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department reported. Paramedics had been sent to the location on a report of a ``medical emergency,'' police said.
``Upon arrival, the suspect brandished a firearm at paramedics'' and a help call was broadcast, according to the LAPD.
``LAPD officers from Central Division were then dispatched to the location,'' police said. ``When officers arrived the suspect brandished a firearm towards the officers and retreated back inside the location. The suspect has barricaded himself with a firearm.''
Streets were closed in the area as a precaution.
The standoff continued until early afternoon, when officers confronted the suspect, leading to police to fatally shoot the suspect.
``SWAT officers utilized less lethal (weapons) and an officer-involved shooting occurred,'' police said. ``The suspect was struck by gunfire and taken into custody. LAFD responded and determined the (suspect) deceased. A firearm was recovered at scene.''
No other injuries were reported. The exact circumstances leading up to the shooting were not immediately released.
Information was not immediately available on the suspect's identity.