Knife-Wielding Suspect Shot by LA County Deputies After 7-Eleven Robbery Attempt

* (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) *
Los Angeles, California — On July 20, 2024, at 7:22 p.m., deputies assigned to West Hollywood Station were flagged down by two civilians in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven convenient store located in the 7600 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood. The civilians alerted the deputies to the suspect, who was fleeing the location on foot. The suspect was later identified as 33-year-old Cody Dodd-Thompson. Believing a crime had occurred, the deputies began to follow Dodd-Thompson as they used their radio to advise additional deputy personnel of the incident and to provide a description of Dodd-Thompson. While following Dodd-Thompson, an assisting deputy responded to the 7-Eleven store and spoke with the clerk, who confirmed Dodd- Thompson had attempted to rob her.

Deputies formulated a tactical plan and attempted to detain Dodd-Thompson as he continued walking east on Lexington Avenue toward Gardner Street. Dodd-Thompson did not comply, produced a knife, and ran south on Gardner Street. Deputies initiated a foot pursuit of Dodd-Thompson. During the foot pursuit, Dodd-Thompson stopped running and turned toward one of the deputies while armed with a knife in his right hand, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. Dodd-Thompson sustained gunshot wounds to his body. Deputies rendered first aid until the arrival of Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel. Dodd-Thompson was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. No deputies or other persons were injured during the incident. A folding knife, with an approximate four-inch blade, that was in the locked open position was recovered at the scene.