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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - An Arizona man shot by Los Angeles police after allegedly stabbing a man at a Metro station in the East Hollywood area remained hospitalized in critical condition today and is facing a possible attempted murder charge.
Mason Todd Swenor, 23, of Glendale, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder following Tuesday's attack, and was being held on $2.1 million bail, the Los Angeles Police Department reported. At about 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, LAPD officers assigned to a Transit Services Division detail at the Metro B (Red) Station at Vermont Avenue and Beverly Boulevard were approached by someone who said a man -- later identified as Swenor -- had brandished a knife at him, police said. The man ``showed the officers a photograph of Swenor on his cell phone and directed the officers to Swenor's location,'' police said.
``The officers proceeded up to the lower-level mezzanine, where they observed Swenor who was also in possession of a knife,'' police said. ``The officers made contact with Swenor and repeatedly ordered him to drop the knife. However, Swenor failed to comply with the officers' commands.'' Swenor fled to the upper-level mezzanine area, where he approached a 74-year-old woman ``and struck her in the head with an unknown object,'' police said.
``The officers continued to pursue Swenor up to the street level,'' police said. ``Swenor continued north on Vermont Avenue from Beverly Boulevard and while on the sidewalk, Swenor stabbed (a man) ... on his left shoulder.'' Swenor then ran across the street into the rear parking lot of the building near the 300 block of North Vermont Avenue, police said. ``Swenor positioned himself in front of a parked vehicle, while still in possession of the knife,'' police said. ``The officers pursued Swenor to the parking lot and positioned themselves at the rear of the vehicle. The officers continued to give commands ordering Swenor to drop the knife. However, he refused to comply. With the knife in his hand, Swenor charged at one of the officers resulting in an officer-involved shooting.'' Swenor was wounded and was taken to a hospital. No officers were hurt. Police say they recovered the knife. The 74-year-old woman was treated at a hospital and released. The man who allegedly was stabbed by Swenor was hospitalized in stable condition.