The chase began around 9:30 p.m. in Cudahy, when Brian Newt Beaird, 51, of Oceanside, was spotted driving erratically behind the wheel of a silver Corvette. Police say Beaird wasn't speeding, but that he was putting the public at risk.
The hour-long chase ended when the Corvette plowed into a car that ran a red light on Olympic Boulevard and Los Angeles Street.
After attempting to drive away in the smashed sports car, Beaird staggered to the back of the Corvette.
He appeared to react to what might have been a non-lethal round as a bean-bag bounced off his left leg to the sidewalk. Gunfire then ensued as officers opened fire.
Beaird was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck addressed reporters Monday regarding the investigation on Friday's shooting.
"We investigate these shootings more thoroughly than any entity in the nation," said Beck. "We will release a full report that will be reviewed not only by my staff, but by the inspector general, by the district attorney and by the police commission, which will make the ultimate finding on this."
Beck would not respond to specific questions about whether other officers might have been responding to the sound of the non-lethal round when they opened fire.
"That kind of stuff is speculation" said Beck," speculation isn't always wrong, but I'm not going to confirm any of that, we will work through this."
Beck said that officers may have had a different perspective on the ground.
"Whatever you're seeing is not the point of view of the officers, it's very different to see something from 1,200 feet from a helicopter rather than 15 feet away," said Beck.
The passengers in the vehicle that ran a red light and ultimately ended the pursuit were identified as two women. One was hospitalized with serious neck injuries.
The shooting remains under investigation.
Beaird's autopsy is yet to be completed. His body has not been released to his family.
