LAPD Officer Shoots at Suspect Holding an Airsoft Rifle

A police response to a reported kidnapping in Los Angeles quickly became an officer-involved shooting after officers encountered a man holding what appeared to be an assault rifle. The weapon was later determined to be an Airsoft imitation firearm loaded with plastic BBs.

Officers Respond to a Kidnapping Call

On August 18, 2026, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department officers assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division responded to a reported kidnapping near Central Avenue and Century Boulevard.

According to the LAPD, the initial call described the suspect as being armed with a possible AR-type firearm. Officers arrived and encountered 39-year-old Bryant Session standing in front of a restaurant with what appeared to be an assault rifle.

Officers Give Repeated Commands

Once officers saw the apparent rifle, they ordered Session to drop the weapon. The LAPD says he did not comply and moved behind a parked vehicle.

The bodycam footage captures the tense encounter as officers maintained their positions and continued giving commands. From the officers' perspective, the object appeared to be a genuine firearm, creating an immediate threat during the confrontation.

The Rifle Is Pointed Toward Officers

The situation escalated when, according to the LAPD's preliminary account, Session pointed the rifle in the direction of the officers.

That movement resulted in an officer-involved shooting. The department emphasized that its account was based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation and could change as additional evidence is reviewed.

The Suspect Was Not Struck

Despite the gunfire, Session was not hit. Instead, he fled south toward a rear alley after the shooting.

Officers continued searching the area while attempting to locate him. The situation remained active because the apparent firearm had not yet been recovered.

Police Recover the Weapon

Officers eventually located Session and detained him without any further use of force.

They also recovered the rifle and booked it as evidence. Investigators subsequently determined that the weapon was an Airsoft imitation firearm loaded with plastic BBs rather than a conventional firearm. No officers or members of the public were injured during the incident.

The Investigation Continues

The LAPD's Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and took responsibility for investigating the officer-involved shooting.

The department has cautioned that the information released publicly represents a preliminary account. Investigators are expected to examine body-camera footage, witness statements, physical evidence, and other records to establish the complete sequence of events.

A Split-Second Decision

The incident illustrates one of the difficulties officers face when responding to reports involving realistic-looking weapons. The rifle was ultimately identified as an Airsoft imitation firearm, but officers initially encountered an object that appeared to be an assault rifle.

In this case, the encounter ended without injuries to the officers or community members. Session was later booked on a kidnapping charge after the reported victim positively identified him, according to the LAPD.

The bodycam footage provides a close view of the moments leading up to the shooting, while the ongoing investigation will provide additional context about the decisions made during the encounter.